By Melinda Rogers
The Salt Lake Tribune
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — James Taylor was the type of all-American guy who loved the Boston Red Sox, relished in the lives of his three young boys and found pride in serving as a physical therapist during Operation Desert Storm.
That’s why the family of the Eagle Mountain man who suffered injuries in a helicopter crash near Flagstaff, Ariz., last month found it fitting the veteran-turned-flight nurse’s last day alive was one that celebrated the USA.
Taylor’s family decided, on Friday afternoon, to take him off of life support. The 36-year-old died a short time later, said a spokesman for Flagstaff Medical Center.
“He was a patriot. He loved his country. In a way, it’s a wonderful day that he could have passed today because he cared about his country,” said Tami Taylor of Salt Lake City, a younger sister, said Friday.
“He always had a desire to serve others, and he was really proud to serve other people.”
Taylor’s death marks the seventh fatality from the horrific June 29 crash.
Taylor was on a helicopter transporting a patient from the Grand Canyon when it collided with another chopper taking a patient to a northern Arizona hospital. Six people died at the scene.
Taylor, the lone survivor, remained in critical condition for most of the week, but his family made the decision to remove him from life support as the prognosis for his future became more bleak.
“It’s what Jimmy would have wanted,” Tami Taylor said of the family’s decision.
“We didn’t stop hoping for one bit [that he would recover]. It was a really hard struggle. We’re trying to remember the good things and to keep him in our hearts.”
She said her family is grateful they had a chance to say goodbye.
Taylor’s sister said her brother was passionate about his job as a flight nurse. He’d taken on the job in addition to work as a registered nurse at St. Mark’s Hospital and was previously employed at LDS Hospital and Intermountain Medical Center.
Earlier this week, Taylor’s co-workers at St. Mark’s praised his skills as nurse.
“He is a vital part of our team at St. Mark’s and a skilled and caring nurse. The staff is devastated by the news, and we are all praying for his swift recovery,” said spokeswoman Kathleen Murphy.
After graduating from Granger High School, Taylor served in the military, including a stint in Operation Desert Storm, his sister said. He was a first lieutenant in the Army Reserve at the time of his death.
Taylor is survived by his wife and three children, who asked The Salt Lake Tribune not to name them.
Besides his sister Tami, Taylor is survived by another sister, Laurie Brady; a brother, Shane McAllister Taylor; his mother, Diane McAllister; father James Taylor Sr.; and stepmother Traci Taylor, who all live in the Salt Lake City area.
Funeral arrangements are pending. Tami Taylor said her brother’s body will be transported back to Utah on Monday.
The collision between the two aircraft — one owned by a Utah company — occurred east of Flagstaff Medical Center. One of the helicopters was operated by Air Methods from Englewood, Colo., and the other was from Classic Helicopters of Woods Cross. Both aircraft were Bell 407 models, according to Ian Gregor, a spokesman with the Federal Aviation Administration.
An FAA investigation into the incident continues.