Taylor, Harvey L., 1894-1983

University Vice President, 1953-1964.

Mormon educator and former vice president of Brigham Young University.

Harvey L. Taylor (1894-1983) was University Vice President, 1953-1964.

Mormon educator and former vice president of Brigham Young University.

"Dr. Harvey L. Taylor, 89, former vice president of Brigham Young University and educator for 52 years, died Tuesday, Nov. 15, 1983, at Utah Valley Hospital, Provo.

He was born Aug. 28, 1894, in Harrisville, to Harvey Daniel and Letty May Saunders Taylor. He married Lucelle Eliza Rhees, May 18, 1916, in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She died April 4, 1977.

He graduated from the University of Utah and Columbia University and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Law Degree by Arizona State University. He was both a teacher and administrator.

His first teaching positions were in Weber and Summit Counties. In 1928 he was invited to serve as president of Gila Junior College in Thatcher, Ariz. He accepted a position as superintendent of Mesa Union High School in 1933 and later was appointed superintendent of Mesa Union High School and later was appointed superintendent of Mesa Public Schools until 1953.

He was then appointed vice president of Brigham Young University and vice chancellor of the LDS Unified Church School System. Later, when the two organizations were separated, he was appointed to be the administrator of all LDS Church Schools as well as seminaries and institutes.

Dr. Taylor has received many honors including the Silver Beaver award from the Boy Scouts of America along with the 50 years BSA Service Award, Mesa's Most Valuable Citizen Award, BYU Alumni Distinguished Service Award, and the Ricks College Distinguished Service Award. Mesa City named a recreation field after him.

He also received the Arizona Governor's Award of Honor to a Distinguished Citizen for Meritorious Service; the Weber State College Alumni Meritorious Service Award; State of Utah Third Juvenile District Court Distinguished Service Award to Youth and the Honorary Master M-Men Award [from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] for distinguished service to youth.

A member of the LDS Church, he served for 30 years as a Sunday School teacher and in many leadership positions. When he retired in 1971 after 52 years of service to education, he was commissioned by the LDS Church Board of Education to write the story of LDS Church Schools. He completed the work in 1972.

Survivors include three daughters: Molliemae Taylor Johnson Hatch of Taylor, Ariz.; Dr. Janyce L. Taylor of Provo; Mrs. Reed R. (Betty L.) Rosenberg of Bakersfield, Calif.; 12 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Dr. Harvey Darrel Taylor."

[Statement excerpted from obituary in the Provo Daily Herald, 17 Nov., 1983]

Harvey L. Taylor was born August 28, 1894 in Harrisville, UT. Harvey Taylor died on November 15, 1983. Taylor was a school teacher and administrator in several schools in Utah and Arizona.

He married Lucelle Eliza Rhees May 18,1916. Taylor received a bachelor's degree from the University of Utah and did his graduate work at Columbia University. He was awarded an honorary law degree from Arizona State University. He taught in Weber and Summit counties in Utah before moving to Arizona to take a position as president of Gila Junior College. In 1933, he became the superintendent of Mesa Union High School, and eventually superindent of Mesa Public Schools. In 1953, he was appointed vice president of Brigham Young University and vice chancellor of the LDS Unified Church School System. In the following years, he acted as an administrator of all LDS Church Schools, seminaries, and institutes. Taylor retired in 1971 after working 52 years in education.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Taylor served in several teaching and leadership positions, including many years as a Sunday School teacher. He was asked to write the history of Church Schools, and completed the work in 1972.

Taylor and his wife Lucelle had four children.