Geraldine “Gerri” Kay Herron Taylor, age 90, returned to her beloved Arlo after 36 years apart on July 13, 2023 while surrounded by family. She was born on June 18, 1933 in Culver City, California to Mark Charles and Arletta Emma Jensen Herron. She grew up in the Los Angeles area, where she excelled in school; and, as the oldest child, was a constant help to her parents.
On New Year’s Eve of 1958, her friend Garnet invited her to Delta to play cards with a Hinckley boy, by the name of Arlo Taylor. After a year of exchanging letters and 6 in-person dates, they were married on March 26, 1960, in Inglewood, California. They bought a farm where they would make their home in Hinckley, Utah. When asked if moving from Los Angles to Hinckley was a shock for her, she would say, “I never had a second thought. In 1961, they were blessed with their son, Skip, followed in 1963 by their darling daughter, Staci. Arlo worked as a custodian and bus driver for Millard County School District and ran the family farm. Gerri worked part time as a lunch lady at the Hinckley Elementary School alongside her dear friend, Lonnie Morris. When Hinckley Elementary closed, she moved into Delta Middle School where she made many special and lasting friendships.
In 1978, Arlo was diagnosed with cancer. Over the next 8 years they spent time traveling to Salt Lake for treatments, and in 1987, Arlo passed away. She could never have eyes for another. She spent the next 36 years as the sole pillar of her family. Over the years she was blessed with 7 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren, who were the joy of her life. She spent summers making sure each of her grandkids received swimming lessons so Skip wouldn’t drown them in the local canals and ditches. When each of her grandchildren turned 9, she shared her love of the arts with them by taking them on a ‘Grandma Date’ to dinner and the Nutcracker Ballet. She enjoyed theatre and traveling with Staci, family vacations and camping trips. Skip was nearby to help her with her every need. When not taking care of her family, she could be seen keeping the roads of Hinckley hot on her morning walks.
In 2006, she built her dream home, where she spent the next 16 years enjoying her home and yard. She loved to gather her family together and would make extravagant Christmas and Easter feasts.
She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she held many calling and loved serving. She worked diligently to find a pioneer ancestor that qualified her to be a member of the ‘Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.’ She further served the community of Hinckley in many capacities including as a Town Council Member, Planning and Zoning Commission member, and was honored to be the Grand Marshall of the Hinckley Pioneer Day Celebration in 2012.
In July of 2022, she suffered a fractured pelvis and was admitted to the Millard County Care and Rehabilitation Center, where she received outstanding care from the loving and professional staff. A gift that her family is eternally grateful for.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband: Arlo, and her great-grandson: Axel. She is survived by her son: Skip (Tresa) Taylor of Hinckley; Staci (Dale) Hansen of Farr West; 7 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren; sister: Sandra Virgin of Prescott, Arizona; and brother: Craig (Barbara) Herron of Mission Viejo, California.
A Graveside Service will be held on Thursday, July 27, at 11:00 am, at the Hinckley Cemetery. A Viewing will be held Thursday morning, 9:30-10:40 am, at the Hinckley LDS Church, before traveling to the cemetery Online condolences may be left at www.nicklemortuary.com