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Marc Sims Taylor
Marc Sims Taylor, born May 8, 1973, passed away in the Outer Banks of North Carolina on Monday, December 12, 2022 at the age of 49.
“Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Marc lived life enjoying what he loved – creating fabulous food, finding good waves, and spending time with those he held close.
Endless hours in the kitchen would count as work for most people, but in the kitchen, Marc was like a painter at his canvas. He loved to create, and food was his medium. From his earliest days at the farm table after a hunt with his dad, Marc was moved by the power of food to bring people together. As he grew up, it became the centerpiece of his life.
After attending Nansemond Suffolk Academy and Fork Union Military Academy, Marc followed his culinary passion to Johnson & Wales in Charleston, SC. He subsequently honed his skills in the mountains of Colorado and the islands of the Caribbean. Upon his return to Virginia Beach, he worked as a sous chef at highly regarded restaurants like Cavalier Golf & Yacht Club. Later he served as the executive chef at both Fire & Vine and Steinhilbers. Marc eventually moved to the Outer Banks, where he brought his commitment to culinary excellence and artistry with food to a variety of local restaurants, most recently as the executive chef at 1587 in Manteo.
If not at a restaurant, Marc was never far from the water. He personified salt life before it became a bumper sticker. On any given day he could almost certainly be found skating, or perhaps even more likely, surfing. If the waves weren’t good, he might break out a rod and reel and go fishing for some drum. He loved the simple life, the ocean, his friends, his family, and especially his son and “mini me” Marik, who was his pride and joy. Nothing made Marc happier than spending time with Marik. Whether taking Marik to his restaurant to teach him his craft, creating masterpieces with him in his home kitchen, or sharing his passion for the water and waves, any day with Marik was a great day for Marc.
While Marc’s talent was cooking, everything he did was really about connecting people. He loved creating an exceptional, memorable experience for others, whether in the finest restaurants or the backyard firepit. He could make magic from the region’s most exotic foods or rummage through your pantry and whip up a culinary delight out of what seemed like thin air. Wherever he was he brought people together. He had a larger-than-life personality and a unique ability to relate to people from all walks of life. As soon as he stepped into a room Marc would deploy his quick wit, robust laugh and megawatt smile that those of us who loved him will never forget.
Marc left us far too soon, and leaves behind a beloved son, Marik Sims Taylor and former wife, Kira Taylor of Virginia Beach, VA; parents Ned and Astor Taylor of Holden Beach, NC and sisters Mallory Underwood (husband Chuck and children Bailey, Drew and Jackson) and Blair Jackson (husband Jeremiah and children Emory and Campbell), all of Raleigh, NC.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 1:00 pm at the indoor facility overlooking the ocean at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head, North Carolina. A reception will follow the service. In honor of Marc’s passion for the ocean, memorial contributions may be made to the Outer Banks Surfrider Chapter and mailed to PO Box 1576, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948.
Please share condolences and loving remembrances at gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. was entrusted with arrangements.
Condolences
What a beautiful tribute. I wish I had the chance to meet Marc and taste his culinary creations or watch him surf. Keeping you all close in my thoughts and prayers.
Mallory and Blair and family, Sending love ❤️ please know you are not alone… so very sorry for your loss. He must have been a beautiful soul based on the wonderful humans you both are. Love you.
We are all so sorry for the loss of this amazing Son,Brother and Father who you held in the highest regards. Might he rest in peace cooking his way through heaven and may you always remember him as delightfully as written here. May the warmth of God be with you all as you celebrate this life taken too soon from our earthly place. The Stoner Family Raleigh NC
Your family is constantly in our hearts. We love you and mourn with you. I always think of that impish look in Marc’s eyes. He will be so missed.
I dont know what to say? gone too soon! what a beautiful obituary! You will be missed by so many it appears. a long lost friend with a memorable place in my history. gone too soon. love and peace to his family but especially his son! I pray that God watches over him now, in this very hard time, and forever.
I never met Marc but feel as if I knew him through his sister's beautiful tribute! My daughter loved the water as well. Freedom and weightlessness were her salvation from inner pain. May Marc swim and cook and be at peace for all eternity. Kelli Brownfield
A beautiful tribute. A very handsome man gone way too soon. He was very talented. May you gain strength from God to move day-by-day through this grief. My love to you both. Bobbi
Dear Astor, Ned and family, Although we never met Marc, we are so touched by this beautiful Tribute to him. He was loved by so many, his memory will never fade. They will live on in Marik. Fondly, Monica and Jack
We are so sorry for your loss. We are never prepared to lose someone so young and talented and beautiful! Hearts are broken as God heals and we can go on. God bless you Astor, Ned and family .
So sorry to hear of your loss. Sending lots of hugs to all. 49 is way too soon.
This was so beautiful. Marc's life, though cut short, was so full of great accomplishments and enjoyments. Please find solace in that. Shelly
My deepest heartfelt sympathies to a family that is a major part of my upbringing. From taking off the training wheels(yep, Marc did that for me), to fishing trips, many adventures around Tyre Neck Point(in its early days!), numerous stitches, and so much more, this family means the world to me! A piece of me left with Marc. May he be at peace and have a big meal waiting for us when we meet again!
What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful life of talent and adventure. Our hearts go out to all of you
I did not have the pleasure of meeting Marc but have known his mother and father for about a year. They became my neighbors in Raleigh, NC. Knowing his parents makes the words of the obituary so special. Prayers for all concerned.
To the Taylor family My condolences to each of you in the premature death of Marc. He was always one of my favorite tow heads who roamed our neighborhoods in Portsmouth and memories still fill my heart. Marc was an early buddy of Brian and helped him to remove the training wheels from his bike! I wish our paths had crossed on the OBX. I have been informed that I had witnessed him surfing on either side of Benjamin or Christopher but was not aware it was Marc. He obviously loved life and was a great chef! His resume was impressive. His obituary was beautifully written and certainly mirrored how much he loved his family and life. You all shall be sustained during your mourning by your grandson who will equally depend on you. You all are in my prayers.
Getting to know this family over the past year shows me the love that was shared. I did not get to meet Marc - but he was certainly a man of many talents...God bring strength to this family..
Dear Astor, Ned, and Family: What a beautifully written tribute to Marc. Our hearts go out to all of you. Wishing you all comfort and peace. Sent with love and remembrance. Debbie and Bob Cross
A talented Chef, gone too no soon.
Ned, Astor, Mallory, Blair We are heartbroken for all of you and pray God will daily give you both comfort and strength as you grieve Marc's too, too early passing. To all who knew and loved Marc, who feel blessed to have had his life touch our own, and who now share this deep sadness, we send our heartfelt condolences and love.
Dear Astor and Ned, I’m in total awe for y’all’s family. Marc was super cool guy! I think I only met him 2 or 3 times! But hey totally reminds me of my boys! Like you used to say to me Astor!:). I do 🥰 I remember when I cut Meric hair at your home in Suffolk. Astor and Ned my heart ❤️. I truly couldn’t believe it when I saw his obituary:(. It was very beautiful 😍. See ion the 7th. XoXo maryhume
Mark will be missed. May the whole family be blessed with peace, at this difficult time.
What a life well lived. I am so sorry for your loss and have you all in my heart.
Dearest Astor and family. Astor as you well know you were like a second momma to me! You helped me more than you could ever know when I was a single momma trying to work hard and do my best while raising my sons!! I will NEVER FORGET our special prayers and talks! I miss you so much and I’m very saddened for the loss of your son Marc. I’m so happy that I got to meet him at your condo. I cut Meriks hair and Marc picked him up!! I was so happy to finally met your son ! I love you so much!:). Ned, Mallory and Blair. With Love, Maryhume
Dear Astor, Ned and your wonderful Family. Even though I did not know Marc, I knew he was a very special person because of the love you have for each other in your family. This Love will sustain you throughout these very difficult times. My heart is saddened for your sorrow. I believe that Marc is with God in all His Glory, preparing a delicious meal for all the Saints. My prayer are with you always.
So sad to hear th news of ur passing. God bless u and urs. Gonna miss u steak for brain. Be easy. Tim C. AKA HIPP
Just learned of Marc's passing tonight. His obituary is so well written that I feel like I knew him. My prayers are with you and your family. Love
Heartfelt sadness for the loss of Marc. Joe loved a good meal hope he is sitting at the table with you eating one of your masterpieces. All our love Astor & Ned and your beautiful family
What a beautiful tribute. I wish I had the chance to meet Marc and taste his culinary creations or watch him surf. Keeping you all close in my thoughts and prayers.
Mallory and Blair and family,
Sending love ❤️ please know you are not alone… so very sorry for your loss. He must have been a beautiful soul based on the wonderful humans you both are. Love you.
We are all so sorry for the loss of this amazing Son,Brother and Father who you held in the highest regards. Might he rest in peace cooking his way through heaven and may you always remember him as delightfully as written here. May the warmth of God be with you all as you celebrate this life taken too soon from our earthly place. The Stoner Family Raleigh NC
Your family is constantly in our hearts. We love you and mourn with you. I always think of that impish look in Marc’s eyes. He will be so missed.
I dont know what to say? gone too soon! what a beautiful obituary! You will be missed by so many it appears. a long lost friend with a memorable place in my history. gone too soon. love and peace to his family but especially his son! I pray that God watches over him now, in this very hard time, and forever.
I never met Marc but feel as if I knew him through his sister’s beautiful tribute!
My daughter loved the water as well. Freedom and weightlessness were her salvation from inner pain.
May Marc swim and cook and be at peace for all eternity.
Kelli Brownfield
A beautiful tribute. A very handsome man gone way too soon. He was very talented. May you gain strength from God to move day-by-day through this grief. My love to you both. Bobbi
Dear Astor, Ned and family,
Although we never met Marc, we are so touched by this beautiful
Tribute to him. He was loved by so many, his memory will never fade.
They will live on in Marik.
Fondly,
Monica and Jack
We are so sorry for your loss. We are never prepared to lose someone so young and talented and beautiful! Hearts are broken as God heals and we can go on.
God bless you Astor, Ned and family .
So sorry to hear of your loss. Sending lots of hugs to all. 49 is way too soon.
This was so beautiful. Marc’s life, though cut short, was so full of great accomplishments and enjoyments. Please find solace in that.
Shelly
My deepest heartfelt sympathies to a family that is a major part of my upbringing. From taking off the training wheels(yep, Marc did that for me), to fishing trips, many adventures around Tyre Neck Point(in its early days!), numerous stitches, and so much more, this family means the world to me! A piece of me left with Marc. May he be at peace and have a big meal waiting for us when we meet again!
What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful life of talent and adventure. Our hearts go out to all of you
I did not have the pleasure of meeting Marc but have known his mother and father for about a year. They became my neighbors in Raleigh, NC. Knowing his parents makes the words of the obituary so special. Prayers for all concerned.
To the Taylor family
My condolences to each of you in the premature death of Marc. He was always one of my favorite tow heads who roamed our neighborhoods in Portsmouth and memories still fill my heart.
Marc was an early buddy of Brian and helped him to remove the training wheels from his bike! I wish our paths had crossed on the OBX. I have been informed that I had witnessed him surfing on either side of Benjamin or Christopher but was not aware it was Marc. He obviously loved life and was a great chef! His resume was impressive. His obituary was beautifully written and certainly mirrored how much he loved his family and life. You all shall be sustained during your mourning by your grandson who will equally depend on you. You all are in my prayers.
Getting to know this family over the past year shows me the love that was shared.
I did not get to meet Marc – but he was certainly a man of many talents…God bring strength to this family..
Dear Astor, Ned, and Family:
What a beautifully written tribute to Marc. Our hearts go out to all of you. Wishing you all comfort and peace. Sent with love and remembrance.
Debbie and Bob Cross
A talented Chef, gone too no soon.
Ned, Astor, Mallory, Blair
We are heartbroken for all of you and pray God will daily give you both comfort and strength as you grieve Marc’s too, too early passing. To all who knew and loved Marc, who feel blessed to have had his life touch our own, and who now share this deep sadness, we send our heartfelt condolences and love.
Dear Astor and Ned, I’m in total awe for y’all’s family. Marc was super cool guy! I think I only met him 2 or 3 times! But hey totally reminds me of my boys! Like you used to say to me Astor!:). I do 🥰 I remember when I cut Meric hair at your home in Suffolk. Astor and Ned my heart ❤️. I truly couldn’t believe it when I saw his obituary:(. It was very beautiful 😍. See ion the 7th. XoXo maryhume
Mark will be missed. May the whole family be blessed with peace, at this difficult time.
What a life well lived. I am so sorry for your loss and have you all in my heart.
Dearest Astor and family. Astor as you well know you were like a second momma to me! You helped me more than you could ever know when I was a single momma trying to work hard and do my best while raising my sons!! I will NEVER FORGET our special prayers and talks! I miss you so much and I’m very saddened for the loss of your son Marc. I’m so happy that I got to meet him at your condo. I cut Meriks hair and Marc picked him up!! I was so happy to finally met your son ! I love you so much!:). Ned, Mallory and Blair. With Love, Maryhume
Dear Astor, Ned and your wonderful Family.
Even though I did not know Marc, I knew he was a very special person because of the love you have for each other in your family. This Love will sustain you throughout these very difficult times.
My heart is saddened for your sorrow.
I believe that Marc is with God in all His Glory, preparing a delicious meal for all the Saints.
My prayer are with you always.
So sad to hear th news of ur passing. God bless u and urs. Gonna miss u steak for brain.
Be easy.
Tim C. AKA HIPP
Just learned of Marc’s passing tonight. His obituary is so well written that I feel like I knew him. My prayers are with you and your family. Love
Heartfelt sadness for the loss of Marc.
Joe loved a good meal hope he is sitting at the table with you eating one of your masterpieces.
All our love Astor & Ned and your beautiful family