Dangie William Tabor

Dangie William Tabor of Lubbock, Texas entered into the presence of his Lord Jesus on Sunday, January 10, 2016. A celebration of his life will be held at the Monterey Church of Christ, Lubbock, Texas on Saturday, January 16 at 2 PM. Visitation will be at Resthaven Funeral Home in Lubbock, Texas on Friday, January 15th from 6 PM – 8 PM.Condolences may be offered at www.resthavenfuneralhome.com.

It is a truth of life that when we meet people, we either leave them a little better or a little worse. But we never leave them the same. Everyone who met Dangie Tabor was a better person for knowing him. His love for God and others, a love of laughter and making his corner of the world a better place was his purpose.

Dangie Tabor was born November 18, 1948 in Clovis, New Mexico to Curtis and Billie Jo (Talley) Tabor. He attended Artesia (New Mexico) Public Schools. Excelling in track and field, he set a school sprint record that stood for 20 years. After graduating from Artesia High School in 1967, he continued his education and athletic endeavors at Lubbock Christian College (now Lubbock Christian University). As a member of the 440 Yard Relay team, they set a school record that stood for 10 years. He graduated from LCC in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. It was at LCC that Dangie met the love of his life, Catherine Serene Phelps. They married on December 29, 1969 in Antioch, California. Together they made Lubbock their home for the next 46 years. Dangie served the community as a history teacher and coach for the Slaton and Lubbock Christian Schools. Teaching and coaching young people was his passion. He is remembered by them as a man who changed their lives for the good through his advice and encouragement to set goals, dream big dreams, then work hard to achieve them.

After his teaching career, Dangie owned Well Corp, a wellness testing company serving corporations in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. Many are the people who dreaded the annual blood test that said Dangie is the only one they’d want to do it.

Dangie’s ultimate treasure was his relationship with the Lord Jesus. A faithful member of Vandelia and Monterey Churches of Christ, he served as a Bible teacher and youth leader. He is fondly remembered for his creativity in communicating the Bible, his faithfulness to lead mission trips and make life-long memories for others. He also created haunted houses for the youth that scared even the bravest of boys. It was his privilege to baptize all three of his daughters and his son-in-law.

Dangie’s life revolved around his love for others. His family and friends remember his laughter and doing what he could to make others happy. His family jokes that Dangie was trilingual. He spoke fluent English, Donald Duck and “Danglish”. In relaxing moments, you could find him golfing, traveling, gardening or working on his Koi pond.

Dangie is survived by his parents, Curtis and Billie Jo Tabor of Clovis, NM; his wife Serene and their three children, Autumn Stapp, Eden and Jerry Bookout, and Lydia and Justin Morcom, all of Lubbock; his brother Jeff and Janie Tabor of Santa Fe, NM; sister Angela and Bob Fowler of Houston, TX; and sister Sandy and Kirk Givens of Indiahoma, OK; his mother-in-law Mickie Phelps of Antioch, CA; sisters-in-law Becky and Kim Sloat of Antioch, CA and Robyn and Kenny Owens of Redding, CA; his foster brothers and sister, Bob Dear of Odessa, TX, Gene Dear of Roswell, NM, and Sonja Hays of Carlsbad, NM; his precious granddaughter, Trinlee June Morcom of Lubbock. Dangie is preceded in death by his father-in-law Bob Phelps, brother-in-law David Phelps and son-in-law Laylan Stapp.

A special fund has been set up at Monterey Church of Christ to assist the Tabor Family with financial needs in the near future. In lieu of flowers, you are encouraged to contribute to that fund.