James Craig Taylor was born March 26, 1956 in Helper, Utah. Death occurred in a tragic plane crash January 15, 1996. He was 39 years of age.
Craig is the oldest son of the ten children of James Calvin and Donna Haymore Taylor. He married Janice Cook Taylor on December 27, 1979. They were the parents of four children, Nichola Marie, J.C., Elizabeth Marie, and Jason Craig Taylor. He was preceded in death by his son, J.C.Craig received his B.S. degree from the University of Utah and his Master of Business Administration from BYU. He also studied at INSEAD in Fonteblume, France. Craig is a CPA and had been employed at Arthur Young and Price Waterhouse. At the time of his death, Craig was the CEO and president of Swire Coca Cola, USA. He also had responsibilities as vice-president of Swire Pacific Holdings and served on the Swire Board for development in Asia. Craig served on the BYU MBA advisory board, was a member of the AICPA, the National Soft Drink Association, Utah Manufacturers Association. He was president of the Utah Soft Drink Association in 1995, and served on the Board of Governors for the Coca Cola Bottler's Association. Craig was an active member of the Utah Chapter of YPO and served as forum moderator.
He served his community as an Executive Lecturer for BYU College of Business and helped establish the Swire Park for the City of Fruitland, Idaho. He was awarded the "Certificate of Excellence" by the Salt Lake Rotary and the Department of Environmental Quality. Craig was instrumental in implementing programs to convert company vehicles from gas to natural gas for the promotion of a cleaner environment. He also participated with the Constart International Project supporting Franklin Elementary School here in Salt Lake City. He supported the Salt Lake Buzz and was a member of the Jazz 100 Club.
He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in London, England and served in the elders quorum and the bishopric of the Union 5th Ward, Willow Creek Stake. He is a member of the Northridge Ward. Craig loved sports and spending time with his family. His hero was his father, James Calvin Taylor.
Craig is survived by his parents, James Calvin and Donna Haymore Taylor of Mesquite, Nev.; sisters, Geneve Lynn T. Pearson, Aberdeen, N.J.; Vivian Elaine T. Wayment, Burley, Idaho; Shir Lene T. Kennedy, Salt Lake City; and Carolyn Taylor, Huntsville, Utah; brothers, Arthur H. Taylor, Omaha, Neb.; Calvin H. Taylor, Deweyville, Utah; Evan H. Taylor, Salt Lake City; and William H. Taylor, Denver, Colo. He was preceded in death by a sister, Joanne.
Services for Craig will be Saturday, January 20, 1996, at 2 p.m. at the LDS Church, 3001 E. Bengal Blvd. (7800 South), where friends and family may call Friday, January 19, 1996 from 5 to 7 p.m. and from 12:45-1:45 p.m. the day of the services.
Funeral directors, Cannon Mortuary
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Swire Education Trust Fund, Swire Coca Cola USA, 875 So. West Temple, SLC, UT 84101
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