Tabor, James Houston

James (Jim) Houston Tabor, 81, of Narrows, VA went to be with the Lord on Monday, April 9, 2018 at his home. Jim was born on July 3, 1936 in Giles County, VA and was a son of the late James Emmett Tabor and Sylvia Grey Fleeman Tabor.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Mary Lee Johnston Tabor and his sister-in-law and close friend, Josephine Johnston Blaker.

Jim was a graduate and big supporter of the Narrows High School Green Wave, a disabled veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a long-time member of the First Christian Church in Narrows having held several leadership positions in the church. Jim was a retired pipefitter with the Celanese Corp in Narrows. He was a little league coach and enjoyed entertaining the children, and adults in the role of Santa Claus for many, many years. He was a member of the Narrows Volunteer Fire Dept., member of the Wabash Odd Fellows Lodge #189, having served twice as Grand Master of Virginia and was a member of the American Legion Post #68 in Narrows and a long-time member of the Honor Guard.

He is survived by one sister, Betty Grey Tabor Davis and husband Terry of Auburn, AL, one brother Tommy E. Tabor and wife, Melanie of Sylva, NC, numerous nieces and nephews, numerous great nieces and nephews and special sister-in-law and caregiver, Mary Ellen Johnston of Narrows.

A celebration of Life will be held, Thursday, April 12, 2018 at 2 pm at the First Christian Church in Narrows with pastor Jim McDaniel officiating with burial following in the Fairview Cemetery in Narrows. The family will receive friends at the church two hours before the services from 12 – 2pm. Full military honors will be provided by the United States Air Force Honor Guard and VFW Post #6000, and American Legion Posts #68, #311 and #145. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Online condolences can be sent to the family at givensfuneralhome.com.