It is with deepest sorrow that we announce the unexpected passing of our son, Bryson Taylor Clyde, on February 25, 2022.
Taylor was born on May 22, 2005, on a bright and sunny morning in Payson, Utah to his devoted parents Bryson Harman Clyde and Tiffany Ensign. From an early age, it became clear that Taylor was not like other children. He had extreme sensitivities to sound, struggled to control his emotions, and did not engage in play activities aligned with normal childhood development. At the same time, we discovered that Taylor had an incredible mind, with amazing recall and an uncanny ability to understand the complexities of math, science, and the written word. He was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, which often surprised the people who knew him because he was so outgoing and gregarious.
As a young boy, Taylor was absolutely obsessed with dinosaurs. He would read thick scientific books on paleontology way beyond his grade level and memorized everything there was to know about the different species and prehistoric eras.
Taylor was also a very spiritual child, and was well-known in the Brookside 2nd Ward in Payson for his legendary and thoughtful testimonies on Fast Sundays. Every time he would walk up to share at the pulpit, his parents would experience a mixture of pride, love, and anxiety— because you never knew exactly what was going to come out of Taylor’s mouth when he spoke. He was a voracious reader, and read not only J.R.R. Tolkein’s The Hobbit but the entire Lord of the Rings saga before he left elementary school. He was also a proud Ravenclaw and loved growing miniature watermelons in our home garden.
As he grew older, his passions turned from biology to Star Wars and U.S. History— and he could talk just as enthusiastically about Nathan Hale, Benedict Arnold, and Ethan Allen at a young age as much as he did about Boba Fett, Bo-Katan, and Captain Rex.
His insatiable thirst for knowledge and capacity for retention astounded us and made us laugh every single day.
Taylor was a natural performer, learning the cello and guitar, but he especially loved to sing and act. Because of his Asperger’s, Taylor had no filter about pretty much anything, but one of the perks of this was his ability to fully commit without self-consciousness while performing. Raucous renditions of show tunes were common as he did chores around the house on Saturdays— particularly from Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, and countless Disney films. He was also fond of classic rock and country music, especially The Beatles, Earth, Wind & Fire, and John Denver.
He was especially fond of animals and took great care of his dogs, first Domino and then Strax. He welcomed the cats in Mona that adopted us warmly into our family, and he doted on his beloved bearded dragon, Sporky.
Taylor was involved in many activities and endeavors in his short life. He participated in the Utah schools’ state archery tournament in 2017. In junior high, he was involved with the Creative Writing Club, where he won first place for best original story in a school-wide contest. He was also one of the founding members of the Ultimate Frisbee Club that began at Juab Junior High and carried over to the high school as they grew older. He loved spending time with his family skiing the slopes at Sundance, paddle boarding at Burraston Ponds, and hiking in the many National Parks he and his family visited throughout the country.
He took great pride in being a member of both the Juab Cross Country and Debate teams, where he had the opportunity to compete on the Varsity level. He felt very accomplished for being able to run a sub-20-minute 5K, and loved his coaches and teammates dearly.
One of the highlights of his life was being able to spend time working on his Uncle Rob’s cattle ranch in Northern California when he was fifteen years old, helping with their first branding and tagging season.
For all the things that came easy to Taylor, it was an endless source of frustration to him that he struggled to understand the social cues, body language, and facial expressions of others, particularly his peers. He also struggled often with depression and anxiety, as is all too common for individuals on the autism spectrum.
Taylor’s hopes and dreams included going to college at Utah State, where he planned to major in history and go on to law school or become a history professor. We have no doubt that he would have been successful in whichever endeavor he ended up choosing.
The loss of Taylor has left a hole in our lives that can never be replaced. He was truly one-of-a-kind, and losing him has been absolutely devastating to his friends and family.
Taylor is survived by his parents, his siblings Reilly, Danika, Logan, and Owen, his grandparents Steve and Pam Clyde of Spanish Fork, Utah, Bob and Brandy Ensign of Paradise, Utah, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins who loved him dearly.
Services will be held on Saturday, March 5 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 65 West 800 South, Mona, Utah. A public viewing for family and friends will be held from 9:15-10:45 am, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 am. Internment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Springville, Utah.
We love you Taylor, and until we meet again you will be in our hearts always.
6 Condolences for Bryson Taylor Clyde
Condolences(6)
Trina Searle says
March 4, 2022 at 12:56 amWhat an outstanding young man, many grieve with you
Lori Smith says
March 6, 2022 at 5:51 amI remember being so impressed with Taylor’s testimonies on fast Sundays when we attended the Mona 4th Ward. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Eden Stuart says
March 6, 2022 at 6:25 amThank you for being my friend. I know we didn’t talk much after 2nd grade, but I still enjoyed the time we shared. I remember that we would confuse Mrs. Olsen by telling her we were half cousins because we shared an aunt, but that we weren’t actually related. I remember playing with you during recess and sitting by you at lunch. I wish I would have stayed in contact with you. I wish that I would have talked to you more. I was so happy and excited when I got to see you at Uncle Nathan’s retirement party. You impacted my life so much even in the short amount of time we went to school together. In second grade, I told you that I wanted to be a nurse when I grew up. You told me that you believed in me and that I could do it if I believed in myself. You were my best friend in second grade. You made me feel like I was cared about when I was being picked on. I hope I never forget you or the fun we had at ALA. I love and miss you and can’t wait to see you again. I offer my deepest condolences to Taylor’s Family. I can not even begin to imagine how you are feeling. All I know is that you need comfort. I send my love and am praying for you. Christ suffered all things. He knows exactly how you are feeling. It is because of the Atonement of Christ, that we can be with our families forever. I know that you will be with Taylor again, that death is not the end. I know these things to be true, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Haley Hilgendorf says
July 18, 2022 at 8:22 pmI knew Taylor back in 4th grade before I moved out to Michigan with my family. I was unaware of his passing until just this morning. I wished we had stayed in contact. There was never a day that I looked at a picture or a model of a dinosaur and didn’t think of him.
Years ago when we were in the same class, we became excellent friends at ALA and even joked about becoming boyfriend and girlfriend (of course, both being members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we would have to wait a while). Halloween time was the best. He dressed up as a knight in shining armor with a helmet and shield and everything, and I dressed up as a princess in a light blue dress. We would giggle and bow to each other over and over, just being goofballs together. I always loved talking to him and being his friend. He had the best dreams and ideas of what he wanted to do when he was older, but I laughed aloud when I read that he wanted to be a history professor because that totally came out of left field for me since I also want to be a history teacher. I never wanted to leave Spanish Fork, but unfortunately life moves on whether we like it or not. As a parting gift, I gave him my best dinosaur model (it was 4th grade, what can I say. We were both obsessed with dinosaurs).
Seven years later, my family and I are visiting Utah, and I comment to my sister how I remembered him and decided to see if I could contact him and see him again. Unfortunately, that search lead me here to find out I would have to wait a lifetime to see him again. I am heartbroken to hear of his passing and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family as they go through this difficult time. I know it’s been 5 months since Taylor’s time on earth came to a close, but I know that the Lord welcomed him with open arms and we will see him again one day. I look through the obituary and laugh and smile and cry at all of the things he accomplished and became that were once just inklings of ideas that he had told me when I knew him. I love you and miss you Taylor, and I’m honored to have been your friend in this life.
Rachel Goates says
March 8, 2022 at 4:19 pmI didn’t know Taylor, but I can see that the world was a better place because of him. I am mourning with you, deeply. Know that our prayers are and will continue to be with you and your sweet family. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know Taylor, and I am certain that he is in their arms and surrounded by their perfect love and understanding. May you feel it in your lives as well. I love you.
Brian Winget says
March 21, 2022 at 6:19 amBryson and Tiffany, I just hear about Taylor and my heart is breaking with yours. I am so sorry. My prayers are with you and your family.
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