Jody Victor Taylor Archey

In Loving Memory of Jody Victor Taylor Archey

Jody Victor Taylor Archey was born on July 16, 1982, at Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, to his loving parents, Carlotta Taylor (Rocha) and Victor Archey. When Jody was around two years old, he and his mother moved to Maui, where he would spend the remainder of his childhood surrounded by family, community, faith, and the island he loved.

From a young age, Jody was quite the rascal—or, as they say in Hawaii, kolohe. He was full of energy, laughter, and personality. He loved all things ’80s, especially Michael Jackson and WWE, and he had a natural ability to make people smile. Those who knew Jody will remember his sweet spirit, his infectious smile, and his willingness to make others laugh. He was a kind and generous man who was often described as having a heart of gold.

Jody attended Lihikai School in Kahului during his elementary years, followed by St. Joseph’s in Makawao. He later attended Ka’ahumanu Hou Christian School, where he discovered his love for football. In high school, Jody also found another passion that would remain with him throughout his life: cooking. He especially loved preparing local dishes and could often be found helping in the church kitchen.

Jody graduated from Ka’ahumanu Hou in 2002 and moved to the mainland to continue his education at Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) in Waxahachie, Texas, where he also played football for a year. In 2003–2004, he returned home to Maui and attended Maui Community College. It was during this time that Jody discovered another passion—acting. He performed in several community theater productions and found great joy in bringing characters to life.

In 2005, Jody returned to Texas to continue his education at SAGU. His love for cooking eventually led him to pursue a culinary arts degree at Le Cordon Bleu, which opened the door to an internship at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

After returning to Texas, Jody began his professional culinary career as a chef at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, where he worked for nearly 13 years. During his time at the Gaylord, Jody brought his signature joy, humor, kindness, and personality to both his fellow associates and the many guests he served. His work was more than a career—it was another way for him to bring happiness to the people around him.

Jody’s passions extended far beyond the kitchen. He was a beloved promoter within the island music community, where many knew him as “MC-BJO.” He loved hosting reggae and island music shows and helping create spaces where people could come together, enjoy music, and celebrate the culture he loved.

Jody also had a gift for comedy. He loved performing local comedy and even placed in the top two of a local comedy competition on Maui. But of all his creative passions, acting held a particularly special place in his heart. Acting brought Jody tremendous joy and purpose, and he especially loved being involved in productions through King’s Cathedral and Chapels. Shortly before his passing, Jody was selected to be an background actor in Season 7 of The Chosen, an opportunity he was incredibly excited about and deeply looking forward to.

Faith was an important part of Jody’s life. He had been a part of King’s Cathedral and Chapels for nearly his entire life, beginning in King’s children’s ministry and continuing into adulthood. His church family was an important part of his journey, and his faith remained woven throughout his life.

Above all else, Jody loved people—and he loved his family deeply. Although he never had a family or children of his own, his hanai nieces, Autumn and Jasmine, and his hanai nephew, Isaiah, brought him immeasurable joy. He cherished the memories they made together and the love they shared. Jody had a special way of making people feel loved, welcomed, and valued, and his presence left an impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

Jody was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Carl Victor “Papa” Archey; his maternal grandfather, Lawrence “Tutu Man” Rocha Sr.; his beloved mother, Carlotta Jane Taylor; and his aunty, Joanne Rocha Dissler.

He is survived by his father, Victor Archey; his maternal grandmother, Berniece “Tutu Lady” Rocha; his hanai sister and brother, Ami and Curtis Jackson; his uncles on Maui, Larry “Braddah” Rocha, Frank “Swankie” Rocha, and Ryan Rocha; his aunties on Maui, Marcha and Darlene Rocha; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews on Maui and throughout the mainland.

On July 16, 2026—his 44th birthday—Jody was called home to his Heavenly Father.

Though his time with us was far too short, Jody lived a life filled with laughter, creativity, faith, friendship, family, and love. He touched countless lives through his cooking, acting, comedy, music, church, and most of all, through the kindness and joy he shared so freely with others.

Jody may no longer be with us in person, but his laughter, his smile, his aloha spirit, his generous heart, and the memories he created will live on in all who loved him.