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Roger J. Taylor, 80, devoted husband and loving father, grandfather, and uncle, passed away surrounded by family on May 20, 2025.  Born on April 21, 1945, in Waukegan, IL, Roger lived life to the fullest, pursuing his many talents and interests, always upholding the strongest of morals.
 
As a boy, Roger discovered his love for sports on the pitching mound.  He was a talented left-handed pitcher for the Waukegan Bulldogs and went on to pitch for Illinois Wesleyan.  He spent his summers in Wisconsin helping on his grandparents' farm, where he developed a strong work ethic, one that stuck with him until his final days. 
 
Roger was a natural educator, never missing an opportunity to teach anyone who would listen.  He graduated with a B.S. in Education from Illinois Wesleyan University and later obtained a Master's degree from Northern Illinois University in Outdoor Education.  He started teaching middle school P.E. in Lake Zurich, IL, and in 1971 met the love of his life, Janice, while teaching at Seth Paine Elementary School.  
 
Roger and Jan were united in marriage on June 16, 1973.  They bought five acres in Cary, IL on Three Oaks Road, which he would call home for the rest of his adult life.  A talented woodworker, Roger built his home for himself and Jan, and eventually three children.  Of all his many accomplishments, he was most proud of being a father to Brian, Jennifer, and Amy.
 
He retired in 2002 at Lake Zurich Middle School South after 35 years, teaching thousands of students and coaching hundreds of athletes.  Roger found his true calling as a coach, coaching cross country, volleyball, basketball, softball, baseball, but most importantly, wrestling.  He founded the Lake Zurich junior high wrestling program, coaching at both North and South Middle Schools for 31 years, then went on to coach in retirement at Cary Junior High and Heineman Junior High in Huntley. His love of wrestling did not stop when he retired, as he has worked as a table official at the Midlands and Big 10 conference tournaments each year for the remainder of his life.  Roger’s love for sports didn’t stop there.  He was a loyal fan of the Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs, but most of all, he loved University of Illinois Wrestling.  Roger traveled across the nation, cheering on his beloved Illini, forming friendships with coaches and athletes, and earning a well-deserved superfan status. 
 
Roger was a man of many talents and unique hobbies. Mechanically gifted, he loved working on cars and even dabbled in drag racing as a young man.  He spent years tapping sugar maple trees, making and selling his own maple syrup.  Roger was a gifted woodworker, making furniture, restoring buggies, and volunteering as a 4-H woodworking leader for the New Generation 4-H Club in Cary.  He raised Belgian draft horses, showing them at county fairs across the Midwest, as well as helping his children with their 4-H projects, raising steers, pigs, and goats.  He was an avid outdoorsman, hunting, camping and fishing every chance he got.  Roger didn’t know how to sit still, spending his spare time splitting logs and selling firewood, and in retirement, even decided to start his own lawn business.  Most recently, he discovered a love for trains, engineering and building his own track, and becoming an active member of the Illinois Live Steamers.
 
Roger was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Lulu (Badman) Taylor and brother Tom Taylor. 
He is survived by his devoted wife of 52 years, Janice, and their children: Brian Taylor, Jennifer Huntzicker and her husband Jim, and Amy Sollock; eight cherished grandchildren Jace, Levi, Luke, Laci, Liam, Claire, Everett and Emily; and nine loving nieces and nephews Elizabeth, Rich, Kristin, Scott, Carolyn, Eleanor, Grace, Nicholas, and Luke. 
 
Roger was a man of impeccable, old-fashioned character.  His friendly nature and sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him.  In honor of his wishes, there will be no service at this time.  A private celebration of life will take place later this summer.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Roger’s memory may be made to the McHenry County 4-H Foundation or the University of Illinois Wrestling.