Michael Mills "Mike" Tabor

Mike was born on September 5, 1943, in Waco to supportive and loving parents, Marion Mills and Dora Faye Looney Tabor. An Army Air Corps and later Air Force family, they moved many times when Mike was young, but finally settled in San Angelo.

Mike graduated from Central High School in 1962, where he was an outstanding fullback under Coach Emory Bellard. Then, Coach Hayden Fry offered Mike a scholarship to play football at Southern Methodist University, where he continued to flourish. Among many other highlights, Mike provided a block that led to the touchdown that helped clinch SMU’s 32-28 win over fourth-ranked Navy in 1963. After graduating from SMU in 1966 with a degree in business, Mike signed with the Los Angeles Rams. Mike “gave it his best” during training camp and pre-season and then made the decision to return to SMU, where he worked his way through law school as a student assistant coach. Football provided Mike with an education, a strong work ethic and valuable friendships. He graduated from law school in 1969 and soon thereafter began his long and successful career in private practice.

Mike met the love of his life, Mary Coleman Tabor, in San Angelo. They reconnected while he was in law school at SMU. In 1970 they married and made their home in Lake Highlands. Together they traveled extensively and created many lasting memories.

Mike was tremendously proud of his entire family and words cannot adequately express the joy his wife, children and grandchildren brought into his life. Mike (Pop to his grandchildren) will be greatly missed by Mary, his son, David and his wife Jenny, his daughter Elizabeth and his grandchildren Kate, William, Jon Harper, and Virginia. Mike is also survived by his sister, Ann McQuerrey, brothers-in-law Robert Coleman, Tom Coleman and his wife Lynne, and numerous nieces and nephews. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws Gabe and Mary Coleman, his uncle and aunt, Everett and Sarah Shelton and his brother-in-law Frank McQuerrey.

Family was always a priority for Mike. He coached his children and always supported them in their individual endeavors. Mike was also active in the community. He volunteered in Boy Scouts, served on the Board of the Lake Highlands YMCA and served two terms as a member of the Board of Trustees for RISD.

Mike treasured his many personal and professional relationships. He had long-time and loyal friends including fellow Bobcats, Mustangs and Phi Delts. Mike also valued his time alongside his coaches and other mentors, his law partners, his long-time clients, his neighbors, the “Chumps” and his other fellow Salesmanship Club members and his golfing buddies. Mike was quick to offer a smile and never had an unkind word. He also loved sharing his passion for history and genealogy.

Mike loved God and it showed in the way he lived his life. A long-time member of University Park United Methodist Church, he served in numerous leadership positions and occasionally taught Sunday School.

Mike’s family is eternally grateful for the care and compassion he received from Dr. Weldon Smith and countless others at both Friends Place and the Memory Care Center at The Tradition.

A memorial service for Mike will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, August 27, at UPUMC, 4024 Caruth Blvd. in Dallas, with a reception to follow. Mike’s family requests that memorial contributions be made in lieu of flowers to UPUMC’s Mission Fund (https://onrealm.org/UniversityParkU/give/tabor), the Momentous Institute (momentousinstitute.org) or a charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com for the Tabor family.