UC Davis Arboretum's 'beloved green warrior' leaves garden legacy

The Sacramento region lost one of its true garden heroes last week when Taylor Lewis died of cancer. He was 48.

His impact won’t be forgotten; it’s growing all around us.

With a beaming smile and contagious energy, Lewis enthusiastically pitched plants to anyone who visited the UC Davis Arboretum Teaching Nursery. As nursery manager, he was responsible for growing thousands of plants for the arboretum’s popular sales as well as producing plants for the university’s public gardens. He found joy in the discovery of new varieties that grew beautifully in our climate, and even more happiness when patrons took those plants home.

In recent years as people searched for water-wise plants that can withstand our droughts, Lewis probably was responsible for more new introductions to local gardens than anyone. He got those Arboretum All-Stars (and a lot more) into people’s yards.

But it wasn’t just about plants; Lewis made very real and human connections with his customers as well as the legions of staff, students and volunteers who worked with him and other members of the garden community.

Before joining the Arboretum, he made many friends and followers as a staff member at Carmichael’s Windmill Nursery.

“Taylor Lewis was a kind man who touched the lives in a very great way of all who were fortunate to meet him,” wrote Greg Gayton, garden guru at Green Acres Nursery & Supply. “Taylor and I would always laugh when we saw each other. We’d always giggle about plants and crazy customers.”

Lewis had been a constant upbeat presence at the UC Davis Arboretum for almost a decade. He maintained his sunny disposition through myriad challenges. In 2017, he lost his lower right leg to cancer. Last summer after six years of remission, he saw a return of angiosarcoma – an extremely rare form of cancer of the blood vessels – on his lower back.

“It’s pretty rare for someone to get it once,” he said in November. “It’s radically rare to have it twice. … It was a shock.”

A GoFundMe campaign for the Arboretum’s “beloved green warrior” raised nearly $59,000 to help pay for treatment costs not covered by insurance.

“Taylor's unwavering commitment to friends and family, coupled with his boundless positive energy and dedication to the Arboretum and the environment, has deeply impacted our community,” wrote longtime UC Davis Arboretum volunteer Kili Bong on Lewis’ GoFundMe page during the fund drive. “His ever-present good nature, invaluable guidance to both budding and seasoned gardeners, and his innate ability to help them design and cultivate the gardens of their dreams, have touched countless lives over the years.”

Said Lewis at the time, “There are a lot of people out there who love me. I’m really grateful for this support. … I feel very fortunate. I’m lucky to have this support and these people in my life.”

His mother, Sherrie Lewis, posted his obituary on Facebook:

“My son, Taylor Clark Lewis, was born on March 30, 1976 & passed away on August 8, 2024. Taylor battled angiosarcoma, a rare cancer of the blood vessels. He was the manager of the arboretum nursery at UC Davis. He is survived by his mother, 3 brothers, Spencer, Judd & Jordan, his sister, Megan Lundin, his devoted wife, Ilana Halperin, his sons, Jacob & Jarrett, & daughter Emilee & 2 precious grandchildren, Spencer & Bennett. Family & friends attended a Going Away Garden Party on June 22, 2024, to celebrate his life. He influenced many for good!

UC Davis plans to fly the University of California flag at half-staff on campus next week, Aug. 20-22, to honor the memory of Taylor Lewis.