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John Buford Tabor
Aug. 31, 1922 – Sept. 16, 2021
John Buford Tabor obit
John Buford Tabor (1922-2020)

John Buford Tabor


Aug. 31, 1922 – Sept. 16, 2021


John Buford Tabor of Ceres passed away Sept. 16, 2021 at the age of 99.

He was born in San Antonio, Texas on Aug. 31, 1922 to James Henry Tabor and Angie Frances Yeargain Tabor.

John served in the U.S. Army from March 1943 -to April 1946. He fought in World War II with the 66th Infantry Division Black Panthers in northern France. As they were en route to reinforce troops engaged at the Battle of the Bulge, the Division was torpedoed in the English Channel, sinking the SS Leopoldville. 

It was during his time in the service that John met his first wife, Wilma Deen Garrison Tabor, outside a phone booth in San Francisco while he was stationed at the Presidio military post. John and Deen married in 1944 and raised three children: Suzanne, John, and Gary.

John worked as a route driver delivering for Coca-Cola, Budweiser, and Olympia beer. He later worked at Turner Hardware on Ninth Street in Modesto and True Value in Ceres. He was an avid gardener, carpenter, and San Francisco Giants fan. Whether he was being called “Dad,” “Papa Tabor,” or “Popo,” John loved his family dearly. They already miss his smile, his humor, his tomatoes, his stories, and his bear hugs.

He is survived by his son, Gary Tabor of Modesto; his daughter Suzanne Snowden of Cummings, Georgia; and eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.


–Ceres (Calif.) Courier

Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021