Donald Albert Taber, age 74, left this earth to be with his Lord and Savior on May 17, 2014. He is now free from pain and limitations after many years of debilitating illness.
Mr. Taber was born on March 24, 1940, in Middleton, Idaho to Albert Russell and Estella May Head Taber. He was the youngest of eight children.
He married Christine Louise Anderson on February 19, 1972 in Bellflower, Calif. They were married forty- two years. They had three daughters; Jane Marie Spurlock and husband Eric, of Woodland, Calif., Lora Marlaine Taber and partner Michelle Tucker, of Sacramento, Calif., and Lana Marie Grove and husband Jason of Lawrence, Kansas.
Don served in the Marine Corps from 1958 to 1962. He was a long haul trucker for over forty years, hauling many cars, and ended retiring from Walmart Transportation in Ottawa, Kansas in 2011.
Mr. Taber loved his Lord, his family, his job, and the Marines, in that order. He was a good and wonderful man.
Don was a great husband and father. He wasn’t the huggy- kissy type, but showed his love in the way he knew how; in his actions.
Donald never met a person he did not like, no matter what. He used to mow several yards in our neighborhood, and loved the winter when he could hook up his snow blade and run around plowing the neighbor’s driveways and sidewalks.
Don and Chris used to play dominoes several times a week at the Hyvee cafeterias for years. (Chris was mostly the winner).
He is survived by his wife, Christine, of the home, his three daughters, and five grandchildren; Madelyn, Riley, Steven, Quincy, and Stella, all of whom he loved dearly. He also leaves his remaining sister, Ardith Penner, of Florida, and a host of nieces and nephews. Don was predeceased by his parents, and six brothers and sisters; Bob, Leonard, Margie, Doris, Dorothy, and Hazel. He also leaves his little dog, Daisy, and his big cat, John.
We loved Don a lot, and miss him like crazy.
Memorial service will be held at Lawrence Free Methodist Church on June 16 at 1:30 PM. Don loved pie above all other foods, and would have enjoyed seeing everyone eating pie and drinking coffee in his honor after the service.
The family suggests memorials to the Lawrence Humane Society, or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, sent in care of Rumsey- Yost Funeral Home.
So many great memories of my brother-in-law Don. Our daughters,Jennifer and Kristin would LOVE-when uncle Don would get a truck run down to LA where we lived. He would stay overnight with us. Don always had magic tricks and jokes to play with them. They would laugh and laugh. Richard would always look forward to going out for coffee with Don. He will be missed.
There are so many things I could tell about Don. Don and I were the last of a large family. We lost both of our parents when Don was only 15. Don spent many Christmas and Holidays together. Many times he would show up with a box of donuts, which my children thought he was the best uncle ever. For years it wasn’t Christmas if Don wasn’t with us. There was never a nicer and lovable brother. I will miss him in many ways. I will always cherish the time I got to spend with Don last October. RIP Don.
Everything said about Don is right-on. He was a hard worker, an honest man, a devoted husband and father, a good friend, a delightful brother-in-law and he will be missed terribly. We love you Don, and can’t wait to spend time with you in eternity.
Don sounds like a wonderful man who had a lot of love in his life.y condolences to all who knew and loved him. Lora, Michelle, and Riley, his spirit lives in your memories of him. My thoughts are with you.
Sincere sympathy to all those that obviously enjoyed knowing Don, as he sounded like a wonderful soul. Sending special condolences to Lora, Michelle and Riley. Please know I will honor his spirit with a good ‘cup of joe’.
My sincere condolences to the Taber family. May your hearts find comfort from the promises for the future. 1 Corinthians 15:26