Ralph Tabor

Mr. Ralph Wellington Tabor, age 72, of Covington, died Saturday, December 29, 2018, at his residence.  He was the husband of Patricia Woodson Tabor.
Mr. Tabor was born July 31, 1946 in Marie, WV, the son of the late Ray Wellington Tabor and Mary Lilly Tabor.
 He served his country as a member of the United States Army retiring as a Master Sergeant in 1986 at Fort Campbell, KY with twenty years of service.  Ralph’s service included two tours of duty in Vietnam as well as being awarded a National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Citation and he earned Sharpshooter qualification.
 In 2010, Ralph moved to this community from Clarksville, TN. 
 He loved building things, helping his neighbors, watching WVU football games, gardening, and cooking.  He made the world’s best salsa, was an avid hunter and skilled fisherman and loved collecting guns.  You could always find Ralph around Covington hanging out with the “Double C” Breakfast club.  He was of the Baptist faith.  Ralph was a member of the Curtis A. Smith Post 1033 Veterans of Foreign Wars. Ralph’s true passion in life was his family and friends, all of whom will miss him dearly.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Tabor is survived by two sons, Ronnie Tabor and wife, Carrie of O’Fallon, IL and Jason Tabor and wife, Brittany of Clarksville, TN; a daughter, Amy Lawrence of Cedar Hill, TN; a stepson, Marty A. Forbes and wife, Joanne of Covington; a stepdaughter, Kristy Morgan and husband, Michael of Covington; eight grandchildren, Danah Caudle and husband, Derrick, Colin Tabor and wife, Katie Brook, Caleb Tabor and wife, Kayla, Tessa Tabor, Meghan Cugler and husband, Chris, Ethan Forbes, Mikayla Morgan and Autumn Morgan; five great grandchildren, Michael Caudle, Izaac Caudle, Seth Caudle, Declan Tabor and Connor Tabor; two brothers, Clifford Farley, Sr and wife, Juanita of Covington; Mack McAuthur and wife, Gail of Moshein TN; two sisters, Genieve  Benjie Smith and husband, Franklin of Hinton, WV and Ruth Kessler and husband, Jim of Marie WV; three special friends, David Forbes, Jo Ellen Smith and Jim Bryant; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Tabor was preceded in death by his first wife, Linda Howard Tabor; a brother, Anthony Farley; and a son, Ralph Wayne Tabor.
A funeral service will be conducted at 2:30 P.M. Friday, January 4, 2019, from the chapel of Loving Funeral Home with Rev. Doug Hollenbeck officiating.
Military rites will be conducted  by Curtis A. Smith Post 1033 Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 7:00 P.M. until 8:30 P.M. at Loving Funeral Home.
The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Covington Rescue Squad, 435 W. Hawthorne, Covington, VA 24426.
Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.