- Phillip H. Taylor, M.D.
Thousand Oaks, CA
Known as the Doctor of Last Resort, the Doctor that saved and enhanced hundreds of lives, could not be saved. With Jan, his wife at his side, Phillip H. Taylor, M.D. passed away at Los Robles Hospital on May 28th at 11:07 PM from Heart Cancer.
Chapter I? the beginning...
Phillip Harry Taylor was born April 14, 1932 in Joliet, Illinois to Harry Phillip Taylor and Maurine Blake. He was the first born of seven children. He went to Joliet Township High School where he excelled in Academics and Wrestling, coming in second place in the State AAUs in his weight class. Phil turned down multiple Wrestling Scholarships, where the coaches were not too keen on his major choice, Interior Design. This was the saving grace and saved us from the Exploding Clown School of Design, led by Phillip H. Taylor. Chiropractic College and Medical School were his new goals, Interior Design will have to wait, lucky for us.
During his school days is where he met and fell in love with Saramae Marer. They were on a double date, dating others when they met. That night is where the spark started flying? They married September 7, 1953.
He went into the Army in 1954, where he was based in Granit City, Illinois, his first born son, Phillip Jeffry Taylor was born just over the state line in Missouri, the highlight of their life together. After Phil was discharged from the Army they made their way to California.
He attended the California College of Medicine, where he slept learned his electives and edited the school yearbook two years running. Internship and Residency at Los Angeles County Hospital followed, not sure it was "As seen" on Gray's Anatomy.
Phil and Saramae moved to Thousand Oaks in 1965, where he worked at Camarillo State Hospital as a Physiatrist and built his private practice amongst the Oaks. His unique practice grew and thrived with patients coming in from all over the world to see him. It was not uncommon to have to wait for over 6 months for an appointment. He considered himself a Metabolic doctor and fine purveyor of vitamins. He was the leading proponent of this unique discipline, there is no substitute for him.
The thing that Phil and Sara looked forward to each year was attending the Indianapolis 500 with Andy, Dolly and Vince Granatelli. This was always one of the highlights of the year for them, especially for a young Saramae who grew up in Indianapolis.
Saramae passed away in May 2013, this was a near fall for Phil. Shortly after, he became reacquainted with a longtime family friend and patient Jan Estlow, he got his second wind, his heart began to beat again.
CHAPTER II...the rest of the story?
IT ALL BEGAN with a late night call from an old friend & neighbor, who was also my doctor for 40 years. Austin TX was hosting their first Formula One Race. Phil, an ardent fan of auto racing was asking for information about the event. This conversation led to many emails & calls and it was decided we would attend the race together. It was the beginning of getting to know each other in a new light and a future full of new adventures and FUN! We never said "no" to fun.
In November, 2014 we were wed in Austin, TX. Everyone but the wedding party was dressed in white and the church& reception pavilion were ablaze with white lights. It was truly a Wonderland. There was not a dry eye in the crowd when Phil read his vows. Needless to say, I was upstaged!
I want to share a side of "Dr. Phil" that maybe his friends and patients might not know. What his patients did know was an incredible man, a brilliant doctor with amazing dedication and always a question for traditional medicine.
But, there was another side to Phil...a keen sense of humor, a love of all kinds of art and music and much more. Phil did everything with determination and zeal. His day would begin with laughing, singing and dancing around to Delbert McClinton, which was played as loud as the neighbors could stand. He even signed us up for dance and voice lessons. His first performance was at Galettos singing..."I'm Just a Country Boy." He loved to go shopping, if he saw a garage sale or estate sale sign...prepare to stop.
Through Phil, I met so many of his wonderful friends and patients. It was not uncommon to hear..."This man saved my life!" Nor was it not surprising when he requested patient's charts be brought to his hospital bed. His patients were a big part of his life.
A man of his quality, intellect and passion comes around once in a live time and I feel truly blessed to have been his friend for so many years and his wife for too short of years. Heaven...you are truly receiving an incredible doctor with a beautiful and giving soul. We will sorely miss this "Once in a Lifetime Man".
Chapter III...
Philip is survived by his wife Jan, Sons, Phillip J Taylor, Brett O Taylor, Craig Taylor, Daughter Abbe A Stauffer, Grandchildren Cory M Taylor and Brandie L Taylor, Sisters Margaret Kelly, Kathleen Bierstaker, Rosalie Davis and Brother Gayle Bennett. He also survived by his Nephews and Nieces, and many friends and patients whom he was quite fond of.
He will be sorely missed by so many.
The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to all the nurses, doctors and caregivers that gave such compassionate and loving care to Dr. Phillip Taylor during the past few months.
The "Celebration of Phil's Life" will be held on Saturday, June 25th, 11:00am, at the Los Robles Greens, 229 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks, Ca. Because Phil loved life, guests are asked to consider wearing bright colors and lots of "Bling". He would like that.
If you so choose to make a memorial donation, the following are Phil's favorite charities:
Ventura County Fire Department's Widow, Orphans &
Assistance Fund
3251 Corte Malpaso, Su,501-B/C,
Camarillo, Ca. 93012
Ventura County Deputy Sheriff's Association Benevolent
Fund
981 S. Victoria Ave.
Ventura, Ca 93003
Unity Church of The Oaks
2786 Crescent Way
Thousand Oaks, Ca 91362
To plant trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.
Published by Ventura County Star from Jun. 23 to Jun. 24, 2016.
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1932 - 2016 (84 years)
