Leon Ernest Taylor

Leon Ernest Taylor

April 17, 1934 – December 5, 2025

Leon was born in Thurston, Nebraska on April 17, 1934 to parents Ernest and Fern Taylor, joining older

sisters, Eleanor and Eilene, and later becoming an older brother himself when Lowell was born in 1940.

The family lived in Pender, Nebraska, where Leon attended elementary and high school and was active in

the Methodist Church. During his high school years, Leon was on the football team, and also played in

the school band. He was very ambitious, earning his own money with a paper route, a job at the Economy

Market in town, working on a farm as a hired hand, painting houses, trimming trees, and working for a

local construction company.

After high school graduation, Leon decided to attend Nebraska Wesleyan, and continued to work in order

to pay his tuition. One of the jobs he had during college was working at the Russel Stover Candy

Company and he talked about that job often with his family. In addition to working, Leon’s other activities

included football, Student Senate, YMCA Cabinet, Letterman’s “W” Club, Intramural sports, and various

fraternity functions. Theta Chi Fraternity was a very important part of Leon’s four years at Wesleyan.

During his senior year at Wesleyan, he made one of the best decisions of his life...to take Elaine Krondak

on a date. They had been friends for at least three years before he finally worked up the courage to ask her

out. That date was the beginning of their lifelong love story! After college, Leon joined the Navy, traveling

all over the world stationed on the USS Bremerton. At one point, Leon flew home to Nebraska to marry

Elaine, and the two of them drove from Nebraska to Bremerton Washington, where they would make their

first home together. The Navy eventually brought them to California, which would become the permanent

home for the Taylors.

After the Navy, Leon began a long career in school business, working as a buyer for Torrance Unified

School District, Purchasing Director for Palos Verdes Unified School District, Assistant Business Manager

for Long Beach Unified School District, and eventually became the Business Manager for Long Beach,

before retiring in 1990. Leon was also involved in the Torrance Jaycees, City of Torrance Traffic

Commission, First United Methodist Church of Torrance, and various business and social groups over the

years.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Fern, his sisters, Eleanor and Eilene, his brother

Lowell, and the love of his life, Elaine. He is survived by his daughters Lori Perez (Larry) and Shelley Taylor-

Morse (Jamie), four grandchildren, Bryan Perez (Liz); Daniel Morse (Nova); Alyson Breitenstein (Bryce);

Hailey Albert (Levi), two great grandchildren, Harper and Leo Breitenstein, and several nieces and

nephews.

There will be a small family service and graveside burial on December 29, 2025, 10:00 am at the Green

Hills historic church. A memorial service for family and friends is planned for Friday, January 30, 2026,

11:00 am at the First United Methodist Church of Torrance, 1551 El Prado Avenue, Torrance, 90501.