Todd Richard Taylor's Obituary
Todd Richard Taylor was born to Jack and Gerri Taylor on February 14, 1954, in Coronado, California, where his father was stationed while serving in the Navy. Before Todd came to Tampa, where he resided most of his adult life, he lived with his family in Kearney, Nebraska (hometown of his parents), Iowa City, Iowa where he became an early fan of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, then Des Moines, Iowa, where he was joined by his sister, Tamara Lynn. The family moved to Marshalltown, Iowa and then finally settled in Winona, Minnesota where his mother, Gerri, still resides. He grew up in Winona and played numerous sports including swimming, pole vaulting, baseball, basketball, and racquetball.
Todd had a strong work ethic from the start. Growing up, he worked as a newspaper delivery boy and a caddy at the Winona Country Club. He got up very early every morning to deliver the paper and then was off to swim practice before school. He graduated high school in 1972 and earned a scholarship to swim at the University of South Florida. He left Winona in his green MGA with his sights set on palm trees and sunshine. Being a collegiate athlete ended up being more demanding than he wanted, so he gave up his scholarship and moved to California and then back to Minnesota. A few years later, he came back to Tampa to finish his business degree at USF, where he paid his own way and worked various jobs. After graduation, Todd became an insurance agent for Prudential. A few years later, he entered the real estate world where his career took off. He developed many residential communities around the Tampa Bay area.
Todd married Melissa Haggard on October 22, 1988. In March of 1994, they welcomed their first and only child, Alexandra "Nikki" Taylor. Due to his occupational success, he was able to retire early and was very involved in his daughter's life. She attended Cambridge Christian School where she participated in many extracurriculars. Todd attended every game, event, and award ceremony. He even donated to the school to provide a practice football facility on campus called the Todd Taylor Family Field. Todd not only donated money to various causes including but not limited to the Winona YMCA, Bay Hope Church, the University of South Florida but he also donated his time to regularly volunteering with Meals on Wheels and reading to children at a local elementary school. He was an active member of Bay Hope Church in which his donations helped fund building wells in Africa.
Todd enjoyed playing golf and tennis at Avila Golf and Country Club, where he resided the last 30 years. Todd enjoyed spending his summers back home in Winona where he would golf with high school friends and spend time with his family. In Winona, he was also able to bond with his great nephew, Gavin, and established a scholarship fund for him to pursue higher education. His favorite place to visit was Atlantis in the Bahamas. He loved swimming in the clear, blue water and enjoying conch salad with a Kalik. Although, his favorite team was his alma mater, where he was a football and basketball season ticket holder for decades, he enjoyed visiting Nikki at the University of Florida where he learned to love to cheer on the Gators. He was very supportive of Nikki's aspirations to become a physician assistant and enjoyed weekly lunches with her during her graduate schooling at South University in Tampa. He welcomed Nikki's husband, Travis Collins, into the family in November 2020, where Todd hosted 200 people at his lovely home for their wedding. His final and arguably greatest achievement was welcoming his first grandchild into the world on December 30, 2023.
Todd is survived by his mother, Gerri, his sister, Tammy, his daughter, Nikki, and his granddaughter, Harper Kate. He left a lasting impact in Avila and around Tampa Bay. His friends and family will miss him dearly. In memory of Todd, please donate to one of the causes listed above in lieu of flowers. His funeral service will be held in Tampa, FL and a celebration of life will be held at a later date in Winona, MN.
What’s your fondest memory of Todd?
What’s a lesson you learned from Todd?
Share a story where Todd's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Todd you’ll never forget.
How did Todd make you smile?