Justin Wade Taylor, 31, of Leland, North Carolina, formerly of Aurora, Colorado, passed away Saturday, April 9, 2011.

Born in Denver, Colorado, Justin was adopted by Scott and Patty Taylor of Aurora. He graduated from Metro State College in 2002, played for the semi-Pro Denver Kickers team for three years, was the boys’ Head Soccer Coach at Fairview High School in Boulder, Colorado, and coached the Rapids Reserve and Rapids Reserve Youth teams. In 2005 he married Ellen Hart McCotter, with whom he moved to North Carolina. His love of soccer and natural ability to work with children led him to develop a youth program called SoccerRoos in Wilmington, N.C. He was the men’s and women’s Assistant Soccer Coach at Cape Fear Community College, Wilmington, in 2010.

Justin’s heart never left the mountains of Colorado. He was an avid snowboarder and enjoyed the time spent skiing with Ellen and running his dogs through the snow. He loved to travel and share his stories with friends and family.

Justin was preceded in death by his grandfather, Bill Green of Denver, Colo.; aunt, Lydia Maruyama of Ulysses, Kan.; father-in-law, Joseph McCotter, Jr., of Washington, N.C.; cousin, Andrew Taylor of Aztec, N.M., and biological mother, Rosalie Younger of Denver, Colo.

He is survived by his wife, Ellen McCotter Taylor of Leland, N.C.; mother and father, Patty and Scott Taylor of Aurora, Colo.; brother, Joshua Taylor of Aurora, Colo.; grandmother, Roseann Taylor of Aurora, Colo.; mother-in-law, Ellen Twitty McCotter of Washington, N.C.; brothers-in-law, Joseph McCotter III, and Stephen Guerrero of Cathedral City, Cali.; aunt Susan Taylor of Aztec, N.M., and many loving and beloved aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

If you wish to pay your respects, the family will be receiving friends on Thursday, April 14, 2011, between 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the family residence in Leland, N.C.

A Memorial Service celebrating the life of Justin will be held Friday, April 15, 2011, at 5 p.m. at Castle Hayne Park, 4700 Old Avenue, Castle Hayne, N.C.

A memorial service is planned for Aurora, Colo., on Saturday, April 23rd.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Adoption Options, 13900 East Harvard Ave, Suite 200, Aurora, CO 80014, Humane Society, or the charity of your choice.

Paid Obituary