Bill Gemberling has worn many hats at Thousand Oaks High: student, teacher, coach, sports announcer.
But taxi driver?
“I was one of (Brett Taylor’s) many taxi cab service people, because essentially, we’d go out and have dinner sometimes, which for Brett was Del Taco, Taco Bell, that kind of thing,” Gemberling said with a smile. ”It was probably horrible for my cholesterol, but then there’d be times he’d call up and say I need a ride to such and such, and I’d say, ‘I’m not your taxi, Brett. ‘Well I just need this ride. ‘OK, it’s the last time, Brett, and it’d just repeat repeat and repeat.”
Gemberling tells the story with a smile, despite his pain.
Taylor, a TO class of 1976 graduate with special needs who became a decades-long presence around the school and other local high schools and civic organizations, died on Monday, March 18, at the age of 66.
His impact has not been left just on TO, but also Westlake High, where he began working a half-decade ago. Following his passing, an outpouring of love came in from the entire community, including the local fire and police departments, where he often volunteered. Taylor was a fire volunteer for more than four decades.
The community is particularly reeling because Taylor was excited to have been named Grand Marshall of the re-booted Conejo Valley Days parade.
“When he was a campus supervisor here, everyone knew him on campus and he was just a positive force,” Gemberrling said.
Taylor was a regular presence on Lancer football and basketball sidelines, as well as the swim team and other programs. Following his passing, teams all over the county shared their thoughts and memories. But he remained a loyal Lancer.
“He’d always come over at the end of the game to the group and (give a) pump-up speech and it was fun to hear him do that,” Gemberling said.
“He just was Thousand Oaks High School.”