"Uncle Kenneth had a special place in our hearts. I will miss him at our little Thanksgiving dinners, pizza and beer nights and playing Michigan Rummy. Nick and Max will forever hold his hunting and fishing stories. Nick loved to talk to Uncle Kenneth about his life growing up and all the hunting stories he had. When Nick and Max would spend all morning duck hunting they would always make a point to stop by your house to show Uncle Kenneth what they shot. They are going to miss that. Uncle Kenneth will be greatly missed by us. We are so glad Max knew him and got to shoot their guns together and go pheasant hunting with him. He will never forget that. Uncle Kenneth is at peace with no more pain now. We will miss him. Love, Misti, Nick and Max "
In loving memory of
Kenneth Tabor
January 15, 1931 - June 12, 2018
Kenneth Tabor, beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, June 12. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 29, 2018 at Asbury United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services on Friday at the church.
Kenneth was born on January 15, 1931 in the small coal mining town of Fraser, Iowa to parents John Cottle and Florence Tabor, the youngest of four boys. He graduated from Pilot Mound High School in 1949 accompanied by only 11 classmates. It was there that he met his high school sweetheart, Virginia Forney.
Kenneth married Virginia on the snowy Christmas evening of 1951 after driving through the night from his basic training station in South Carolina. They were happily married for 67 years and had two children together-a son, John Tabor, born in 1958, and a daughter, Jayne Tabor-Moline, born in 1961. Their family continued to grow with the addition of a daughter-in-law, Jennifer Tabor, and a son-in-law, Scott Moline, as well as two grandchildren, Margaret and Daniel Moline.
After serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a Field Wireman from September 1951 to September 1953, Kenneth returned home to continue his education. He began at Boone Junior College and went on to receive his Bachelor's Degree from Iowa State Teachers College before earning a Master's Degree from State College of Iowa (now the University of Northern Iowa). His passion was mentoring and educating children. He taught History at the Nashua High School before becoming a High School guidance counselor at Forest City High School and Webster City High School. He retired in 1993 after 35 years of devoting himself to the education of his community's children.
Kenneth's hobbies centered around love of his community and nature. He was an avid hunter and fisherman as well as an avid golfer, hobbies he passed down to his children.
Professionally, he was a lifetime member of the National Education Association. Socially, Kenneth was also part of the congregation at the Asbury United Methodist Church and a member of the American Legion Post 16 at Pilot Mound, the Masonic Lodge at Pilot Mound, the Isaak Walton League and the Briggs Woods Golf Course.
Kenneth lived a life of service to his community, of appreciation for nature and the world around him, and of commitment to his family. He is preceded in death by his parents and his three brothers, Gayle, Mason, and Frank Tabor. His memory is continued by his wife Virginia Tabor, his children John Tabor and Jayne Tabor-Moline, their spouses Jennifer Tabor and Scott Moline, his grandchildren Margaret and Daniel Moline, and his extended family, many friends, and golf partners.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.fosterfuneralandcremation.com.
Tributes
"I am sorry that I could not make it to the visitation or funeral. I want all a few to know that it was a real privilege to take care of Mr. Tabor.We will miss some dearly. Subhash Sahai"
"Generations of Baby Boomers always knew their was a friendly face from Mr. Tabor at WCHS. He put people first and knew us all by name. That is a life well lived. Sympathy for your loss. -- Lori (Nilles) Berglund, Class of 1980"
"Virginia & Family, We are very sorry for your loss. Ken was a wonderful man, teacher, and councilor. We will not be able to attend the funeral, but will keep him in our prayers. Our deepest sympathy! "
"Dear Al and Shelby , our condolences . Remembering our last visit with you and Marcie sharing wonderful memories of times past. Gone but not forgotten Bob and Nancy Airhart"