Harold Taylor (July 25, 1911-October 1999) graduated from Estacada High School in 1930. His first job with the US Forest Service at Zigzag allowed him to climb to the top of Mt. Hood some 49 times. From World War II work in Vancouver's Kaiser shipyards, he settled into the electrical business. When he decided he wanted his own company, Taylor Electric was born on a kitchen table. That was 1959, Taylor Electric Supply became the largest single-location independent electrical distributer in the US, employing 130 at its peak.
Harold seized on Portland's rich baseball culture of the 50s and 60s. The company supported Junior and American Legion teams from Rex Putnam High School in Milwaukie, the City League’s Portland Lobos and Pop Warner football. Taylor was always adamant that support should go to kids playing sports. If a young person wanted to play and lacked funds for entry fees, they were provided. Taylor Electric Legion never won a state tournament or advanced to nationals like other Portland Legion programs. But a lot of young people got to play and enjoy the grand old game. The baseball field at Rex Putnam High School was named in his honor.
The family sold Taylor Electric in 1997 but had already established a new way to support young people. The Harold and Margret Taylor Foundation was formed and under the leadership of their son, Bill, expanded to help even more outside the circle of sports. Yearly grants and scholarships are given to students at Estacada High School, the North Clackamas District (which includes Putnam), South Wasco HS in Maupin. The emphasis is always on what helps people first. The Oregon Humane Society has received grants from the foundation, and the Jim Bartko Scholarship supports U of O graduate students training to work in mental health. The mission statement of the foundation includes: “Fostering national or international amateur sports competition”.
Harold Taylor was the first $1 million dollar donor to Oregon Athletics. He was saluted at the Oregonian Banquet of Champions in 1990 for his contributions to youth baseball and softball. The Taylor family is also supportive of the PIL Hall of Fame and the Mel Krause Memorial Golf Tournament.