Daniel R. Taylor

Daniel "Danny" Robert Taylor, born on May 25, 1940, in Glasgow, Montana, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2025, in Billings, Montana, with his son Kevin by his side. He was 84 years old.

Danny is survived by his devoted wife, Cindy Ann Taylor; his children: Darla Taylor-Ortner (Butch), Darrell Greenwood (Cindy), Shayne Taylor (Melissa), Kevin Taylor (Latosha), Holly Hunziker (John), and Ryan Taylor (Emily). He was a proud grandfather to RJ (Abigail) and Jeremiah (Miranda) Johnson; David and Zachary Greenwood; Hayden (Charlotte) and Hayley Taylor; Meghan Holt (Kenny) and Tyler Ortner; Blake (Karis) and Kylie Mckinzie; and Bexley Hunziker. He also cherished his great-grandchildren, Ethan, Cooper, Penny, Ella, Owen, and Korra. Danny is also survived by his nieces, Jerilyn Stright and Jana Waller, and his nephew, Merle Nikolaus, children of his late sister, Marilyn Nikolaus.

He was preceded in death by his parents, M.A. (Martin) and Bessie Fae Taylor.

As a young man, Danny worked as both a carpet layer and a butcher before joining the Valley County Sheriff's Office under Sheriff Frank Powell. He served as a deputy for two years, undersheriff for two years, and then as sheriff and coroner for 22 years until his retirement in 1994. During this tenure, he also served as the fire chief of the volunteer Long Run Fire Department for many years and acquired skills in scuba diving and piloting aircraft to support search and rescue operations.

An entrepreneur at heart, Danny owned several family businesses, including the Meat Shoppe he started with business partner Neil Chouinard, Scotty Ice, and various food trucks such as The LunchWagon, Dan's Chuckwagon, and Screaming Steamer. He also ventured into retail BBQ sales (Grill YouPouRium) building several BBQ trailers for mobile cooking. After retiring from the county, he founded Hi-Line Security, providing services to various clients, including securing a Boeing facility in Montana. He sold Hi-Line Security after over 20 years but continued with a storage business he found time to establish alongside his security work. Taylor Storage was expanded over the decades even adding a rentable 1950s-themed diner, Dan's Diner. Even after transferring ownership to his children, Kevin and Holly, he continued to be a presence at Taylor Storage, tending to his aquarium fish and “holding court” from his office to engage with the community he cherished all his life.

Danny was deeply involved in his community, participating in organizations like the Jaycees and other fraternal groups. He also served as the Public Administrator in Valley County years after his initial retirement. He had a passion for boating with his family at their cabin in Fort Peck, Montana, and enjoyed Westerns, collecting Western-themed art, and classic cars. As a member of the Flatland Cruisers Car Club, he relished attending events and sharing stories with fellow enthusiasts.

Known for his warmth and outgoing nature, Danny had a knack for storytelling and staying informed about local happenings. Many in northeastern Montana knew him through his various roles and ventures, each with their own humorous "Danny" story to share. He was deeply proud of all his children and extended family, especially how well they support and engage with one another.

Funeral or memorial arrangements are pending and will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Danny would have wanted to continue to support his loving wife, and so the family suggests donations to Cindy’s Medical Fund at Independence Bank in Glasgow. Condolences for the family may be left at Bellmortuarymontana.com

Danny’s legacy of service, entrepreneurship, and community involvement leaves an indelible mark on all who knew him. His stories, laughter, and dedication to his family and community will be dearly missed.