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1920 - 2017
 Robert Johnson Tabor, Jr., known affectionately to family and friends as “Bob,” 96, of Culloden, WV, passed away Tuesday, May 16, 2017. Bob was born in Repass, Virginia. He graduated from Grundy High School, Grundy, VA, served in the U. S. Army Air Corps during World War II in the 44th Reconnaissance Squadron in Panama and in the 93rd Air Base Squadron in Trinidad, and graduated from Virginia Southern College in Roanoke, VA. He worked for Kennett Brothers CPA firm, Mountain Trust Bank, and for 27 years with Royal McBee Litton Business Systems. He later created his own Accounting Systems Company. Bob and Priscilla Honoré Gingrich were married on May 20, 1961 in Roanoke, VA, by Priscilla’s father, the Reverend Albert E. Gingrich, a Methodist minister. Bob was a founder of the West Virginia Scenic Trails Association. He was a co-founder of West Virginia’s Allegheny Trail and was recognized as the “father” of the Allegheny Trail. He served on the Board of Managers of the Appalachian Trail Conference. Bob was Scout Master of Boy Scout Troop #96. He was a member of the Milton United Methodist Church. Bob gave his time and caring support serving on the boards of Prestera Mental Health Center-Huntington, Disability Rights of WV, and served as President of NAMI-Huntington. Bob was an innovative, adventurous soul, a true character. He was a positive influence in the lives of many who knew him. His wonderful sense of humor and unique perspective brightened every day of our lives. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. A light in this world has gone out, but he lives on in our hearts. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Tabor and Minnie Bradshaw; brother, Charles B. Tabor; and sister, Ruth T. Bondurant. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Priscilla Tabor of Culloden, WV; son, Daniel Tabor of Culloden, WV; daughter, Laura and Marty Fenik of Jackson, NJ; daughter, Becky and Louis Holdstock of Cary, NC, and their three children. A Celebration of Life Service to honor Bob will be held at noon, Monday, June 5 at Milton United Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. Dr. Lynn Cartwright. Military Committal Service will be held at Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery. Family and friends may visit at 11 a.m., Monday, June 5 prior to the service. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to: WVSTA Inc.-Allegheny Trail; Milton United Methodist Church, Milton, WV; or Prestera Mental Health Center-Huntington. Wallace Funeral Home, Milton is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/wallace. |
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There are currently 2 condolences.
Ken Catron
Thursday June 1, 2017 at
3:03 AM
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Robert Johnson Tabor (1920 – 2017)
Truly, a generation has ended.
Truly, Bob Tabor was in that generation called “great.”
He was the son of Virginia and always placed much of his strength in his roots. He was a soldier stationed off on a far away island. He wrestled out a career while becoming a contributing member of his adopted city. He married into a liberal religious Methodist family and had three children who worshipped him. He sponsored many ideas and joined many efforts that led him to become an environmentalist before it was in vogue.
He re-aligned his native support to a West Virginia land he embraced after he wore a younger man’s clothes.
He was happiest on the wooded trail. Happiest when he was among his family to tell his stories of his varied past.
He saw things in black and white.
He was a pragmatic, no-nonsense soul who wanted to lead. He would join a cause, work on committees, lead a troupe and speak up whenever his cause was put to the test.
He was charismatic.
Father Time finally caught-up with Bob Tabor. But, it took ninety-six, action-packed years.
To the end, he could give out his Trail Club “Tarzan Yell” and could laugh like “The Shadow” from the ancient old movie and radio shows. He could talk to fellow “Trail Club” cohorts. He could talk to his wife, Priscilla whom he adored. He could talk to Daniel his special son and he could talk to Laura and Becky the daughters he revered. Even the nurses loved him because he still had life.
Bob was a unique and timeless member of a generation of greatness.
Let us be thankful that we knew Bob. Let it be known that we loved him and pray for his soul. His efforts were cut short but, never forgotten by his family and friends.
Ken Catron, May 19, 2017
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Laura Lee Tabor Fenik
Wednesday May 31, 2017 at
2:54 PM
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Dear Dad,
Thank you for giving me the gift of life, the love for being at peace in the woods, the love of books, nature, the memories of our family times that I will always cherish, the desire to never stop learning and far too much to list here. I'd really like to sit with you now on a roof top and talk about life. Am thinking of you as I listen to the song "Everything I Own" by Bread (written by David Gates of Bread about the passing of his father). I'm including some quotes below that make me think of you. I will forever Miss you and Love you so much Dad, Laura Lee
"After I lost myself in the wilderness of my grief, I found my own way out of the woods." - Cheryl Strayed
“Mountains are the cathedrals where I practice my religion.”-- Anatoli Boukreev
"We are, as a species, addicted to story. Even when the body goes to sleep, the mind stays up all night, telling itself stories."
—?Jonathan Gottschall, The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human
"Three-fourths of philosophy & literature is the talk of people trying to convince themselves that they really like the cage they were tricked into entering."
—?Gary Snyder
"I refuse to be an obedient character in your story. Try and rewrite me. I dare you." -- Dark Raven
"Don’t be surprised by the plot twists. I wrote the story and this is the way it goes." -- Dark Raven
"It is my bliss and my hell that my mind is never inactive." -- Dark Raven
"Promise me a million dreams
and I will laugh at you.
I have a million dreams
and I have watched them flee.
Promise me a reality
that I can grasp
and I may stay,
but only if you fill
the five cups of my senses." -- Dark Raven
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