Joshua Daniel Taylor

Joshua Daniel Taylor, 37, of Madison passed away on June 29, 2016, in Tennessee after a sudden illness. He was born July 6, 1978, in La Crosse, Wis., to Daniel Taylor and Susan (Jaekel) Taylor. Josh graduated from Sun Prairie High School in Sun Prairie, Wis., and received a degree in computer technology from Herzing University. He lived and worked in Seattle for several years before moving to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where he taught English as a Second Language classes to middle school students as well as business classes at the university level. Josh loved his time in Cambodia, where he made a significant difference in the lives of his students. Back in the United States, Josh began a new career driving over-the-road truck, but he dreamed of one day returning to Cambodia. In his free time, Josh loved reading, spending time with family and friends, cooking and talking about cooking with his mom, playing disc golf, golfing with his dad and brother, shooting pool and hanging out with his brother, and fishing with his Uncle Mike. Family was everything to Josh. Josh was godfather to his nephew Jaden in heart and soul. His goal was to be a role model, mentor, friend, and refuge for Jaden. Josh often said that his own godfather, Uncle Mike, was incredibly special and had helped him in so many ways that he wanted to do the same for Jade, which is just what he did. Josh cared so much about people that he often put their needs before his. He will be remembered for his kind heart, compassion, wonderful smile, and beautiful soul. Josh is survived by his mother, Susan Taylor (Brent Rogers) of Madison and La Crosse, Wis.; his father, Daniel Taylor (Jeanne Watson) of Madison; sister, Christina (Dain) DiMattia and their children Dominic and Deacon of Fitchburg, Wis.; brother Jeff Taylor and his children Jaden and Emma, of Madison; sister Mindy (Wayne) Schaitel and their children William and Jack, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; grandparents, Lavonne Mindrum of La Crosse, Wis., and William and Marilyn Jaekel of Holmen, Wis.; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Donald Taylor. A memorial service honoring Josh's life will be held on his birthday, Wednesday, July 6, 2016, at Gunderson Funeral Homes, 5203 Monona Drive, Monona, Wis., from 1-3 p.m. There will be a brief prayer service, officiated by Fr. Randy Timmerman, at 1:30 p.m. After 3 p.m., family and friends are invited to honor Josh's life and celebrate his birthday with pizza and cake at The Pizza Oven, 5417 Monona Dr., Monona, Wis. A memorial Mass will be held at a later date in La Crosse, Wis. "Goodbyes hurt the most when the story was not finished."