Gary "Mike" Taylor

Gary Michael (Mike) Taylor passed away suddenly of natural causes in Erbil, Iraq on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013. Mike was born in San Antonio, TX, on Feb. 27, 1962 to Gary J. and Maureen Ann (Marcoux) Strange.

Mike was raised by his paternal grandparents, Clarence and Denzel Taylor in Sand Springs, OK, where he attended school. After school, Mike tried various types of work and playing in bands until settling into the oil field service industry and was self-taught in electronics where he worked his way up through the ranks. He travelled extensively within the industry and lived and worked in such places as Canada, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Poland, Libya, and most recently, Iraq.

He met and married his wife Karina during his time in Brazil in 1995 and in 2005, his son Jean-Luc was born in Ft. Worth TX. At the time of his passing, he and his wife were starting the process to move to Erbil, Iraq to start a new chapter in his career.

He had a great passion for music, both as a musician and for the technical aspect, as well. His grand plan was to one day, open a recording studio and pursue that interest full time. Mike had an eclectic interest in everything, everyone and their cultures, languages and religions. He was always quick to learn at least the rudiments of the language, culture and religion of everywhere he landed. Traveling and working with him always ensured new friends and interesting discussions within minutes of meeting people.

Mike is survived by his wife, Karina (Pereira), and son, Jean-Luc, father, Gary J. (Sherrell) Taylor, two sisters, Cathy and Lorie and, brother, Chris. He is also survived by his great aunt, Mary Lea, Uncle Daryl and mother, Maureen Strange.

He is proceeded in death by his paternal grandparents, Clarence and Denzel Taylor, great-aunts and uncles, Verlin, Esthel, Arnold and Lou.