Arden Marshall Taylor; Surfer and Contractor

Arden Marshall Taylor, a building contractor and lifelong surfer, died Friday at his home in Ventura after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 42.

Born on June 1, 1957, in San Diego to Richard and Doreen Taylor, he grew up and attended school there.

He enjoyed surfing and judged many surf contests. His friends said he was one of the area’s better surfers. He also enjoyed skiing and tennis.

On July 20, 1985, Taylor married Laura and the couple lived in San Diego. They moved to Ventura in 1993 with their two sons.

Taylor closed his business about a year ago to manage a Starbucks coffee house in downtown Santa Barbara. He wanted to spend more time with his wife and children and to surf. Shortly after beginning his Starbucks job, he was diagnosed with cancer.

Taylor was an active member of Calvary Chapel in Oxnard. He was on its business board and was general contractor for the new church that was completed last year.

Charley Trigg, associate pastor and also a member of the business board, said that at a board meeting Thursday night everyone commented about how much they missed Taylor’s presence. He had not been able to attend the meetings since September because of cancer treatments.

Trigg said Taylor will be missed because he was always helpful, had a great business sense and was a wonderful friend.

During his battle with cancer, members of the church organized fund-raisers, drove him to medical appointments and helped his family with household duties. There were volunteers to help with the children and construction workers who helped re-stucco and make needed repairs to the home he purchased just before his diagnosis.

A friend from the coffeehouse got her band to do a benefit for him at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. There were many offers of help from neighbors, relatives and faculty members from Anacapa Middle School, where his wife works. Surfers organized the Arden Taylor Surf Benefit in March.

Family members said he was always amazed at the outpouring of support, even though in his lifetime he was usually the person showing kindness and generosity to others.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Taylor is survived by sons Jesse and Graham; a brother, Kent, of Ramona; and his sister, Margo Baughman, of Oceanside.

Funeral services are pending.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Charles Carroll Funeral Home in Ventura.

*

Carter, Elizabeth “Betty,” 85, of Camarillo, homemaker. Pierce Bros. Griffin Mortuary, Camarillo.

Thurlow, Kelly Marie, 28, of Ventura, waitress. Ted Mayr Funeral Home, Ventura.

Ventura County obituaries are compiled by Linda Herron. They are published free, based on information provided by mortuaries.