John Olyn Tabor Jr.

Published 9:19 am Thursday, November 14, 2024

November 10, 2024

John Olyn Tabor Jr. passed away peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, at his home in the presence of his wife and children after a yearlong battle with combined pulmonary fibrosis with emphysema.

Born in Pascagoula, Mississippi on June 22, 1952, to Betty Irwin Davis and John Olyn Tabor Sr., he was raised in Selma until adulthood. Preferring to be called ‘John O’ rather than John, he easily made loyal, life-long friends in this community. Once grown, he traveled the country and settled for a time in Florida, Georgia, Arizona and as far away as California where he was employed by Lockheed to work on the stealth aircraft. It was during this time he was injured in an industrial accident and returned to Birmingham for surgery. Also during this time, he met the love of his life, Deborah Hilyer, and on Nov. 9, 1991, they were married. While living in Alabaster, then Gadsden and finally Centreville, John O and Debbie opened their home and were foster parents to many children for as long as they needed a place to stay, be it a few days or several years. Twelve of the children were adopted and stayed forever. John O was a strong family man to his core including family of the past. He was a keen genealogist for decades with a particular interest in Civil War soldiers and their history. He spent countless hours researching and gathering information from documents long before it became a recent pastime of the dot-com sensations. He was excited when Debbie gifted him with a home DNA test. The surprise for him was when he discovered he had a half-brother he didn’t previously know about! They compared stories and put together a doozy about the Tabor line. Neither of them unusually surprised about the result. Although they never got the chance to meet in person, John O was still proud to call Jason Weber a part of his family. When Mercedes-Benz opened in Vance, John O was one of its first employees where he used his engineering experience and sharp eye for quality control as a certified metrologist during his 27 years of employment. In his spare time, John O could be seen, and heard, riding his Harley Sportster 883 throughout Central Alabama. One of his favorite bike stories to tell was the time he met the legendary Alan Jackson when he came to tour in Birmingham. John O knew Mr. Jackson liked to ride his bike before his concerts, so he waited for him to emerge from the gate. When he did, John O motioned for Mr. Jackson to follow him, and he did! John O then led him around the scenic Red Mountain for a bit before returning to the venue. John O was all grins and struts for a long while after that adventure! John O loved music. Favorite outings of his were to various concerts with Debbie, the kids and friends. In fact, John O and Debbie’s first date alone was to introduce her to Michael Card. He loved Michael Card’s music, and Russ Taff, too. He loved all sorts of blues and country, especially those with long guitar riffs, but John O was most passionate about The Allman Brothers Band. An avid fan, he attended the GABBA Fest in Macon, Georgia, yearly. He also traveled to NYC twice to Fillmore East to hear ABB in concert live. His favorite song was “Mountain Jam,” but honestly, he never, ever grew tired of listening to all the ABB songs. Ask any of the Tabor Tribe or any of his friends what band was his favorite, and they’ll each say the same thing – Allman Brothers all the way! John O took great pleasure in watching sports, namely Auburn football and NASCAR racing. A faithful Ford fan, his family would like to think that Joey Logano took that third championship to honor John O’s last day on earth, and that somehow John O was aware of the accomplishment. One of his happiest moments was when he attended the 2019 Iron Bowl at Jordon-Hare when AU beat UA 48-45. A great game, John O said he didn’t think he would ever be able to attend and see that in person, but he was able to that day. He often said he could now die a happy man! The most precious thing John O was proud of besides his family was his thankfulness that God allowed him to live long enough to discover the truths of the Catholic church. A staunch Protestant his entire life, his wife Debbie was Catholic. After years of neither of them attending any church routinely, Debbie returned to the Catholic church and their children followed. John O sat on the sidelines not thrilled about it and watched them for two years. He watched his family change for the better. He watched their excitement and newfound enthusiasm for God and the Bible’s teachings. He watched as they became eager to go to church again without complaints or anyone dragging their feet. He watched them come home happy, and stay happy all week, and treat each other better, until they’d go again and refuel on their happiness and kindness. He became curious as to why and how this happened, so he began participating in weekly Q&A sessions (RCIA meetings) that lasted for months about what Catholicism is and where it comes from. He didn’t quit because he studied and he heard the truth. He converted at Easter 2019. One of the first things John O said after his diagnosis, through tears, was, “I’m so very thankful God allowed me the time on earth to learn what I have because if I hadn’t learned it and participated in the sacraments and teachings before I died, it would’ve been bad.” He absolutely loved Catholicism and desperately tried to get his Protestant friends to listen about the mistakes he discovered the Protestant church so often makes. He took flak from some about that, but John O never wavered. He was adamant he knew the truth, and he wished they’d listen as he was once where they are.

John O leaves behind a grief-stricken family including his wife of 33 years, Deborah Hilyer Tabor; his children, Desiree Demaine Tabor Soriano of Calera, Edward Allen Demaine Tabor (Shellie Crouch) of Centreville, Sarah Tabor of Centreville, Nathan Tabor of Opelika, Catherine Tabor of Hendersonville, Tennessee, William Tabor of Roanoke, and Virginia, David Tabor, Tristan Tabor and AddieJoy Burnett, all of Centreville; his three grandsons he and Debbie raised for 13 years, Eric Tabor (Catia), Evan Tabor and Edward “E.Y” Tabor all of Calera; one granddaughter: Ryleigh Clare Tabor of Tuscaloosa; and one great-granddaughter, Evelyn Juliette Tabor of Calera; his brothers, Richard Tabor (Dolores DelRio) of Selma and Jason Weber of Gautier, Mississippi; and his sister, Teresa Tabor Wood (David) of Brentwood, Tennessee. John O also leaves behind two children from a previous marriage to Tresa Livingston – John Matthew Tabor (Kelly Noelle Rose) of Nolensville, Tennessee, and Amanda Rae Tabor of Alabaster.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Betty Davis and John Tabor Sr.; and his sister, Deborah Tabor, who died in infancy in 1950.

The following is a poem written by his youngest son a couple of months after John O was diagnosed, and it sums up who this wonderful man is, and was, and will always be — our everything.

A Passing Foundation

My Father, My Foundation upon which I have built my whole life, is passing.

Whom without I would have not the spoils of water, food, and everything else he has given me.

And yet, he still can only think of me. The selflessness of this man overwhelms me.

As his body is melting like a wax candle until it burns out, he is still only thinking of others.

Tristan Charles Tabor – age 11

John O’s final request was to ask everyone who could, and would, make the effort, to please attend his service for one last gathering of music, Gospel readings and the people he cared about so dearly. He preferred that to everyone only meeting at the cemetery, but all are welcome to the cemetery if they so wish, of course.

Service will be held Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Tuscaloosa. The viewing for family and friends will start at 10 a.m., service will be at 11 a.m. with a reception lunch to follow at noon. Interment to follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery (aka Blow Cemetery) in Jemison. Norwood-Wyatt Chapel will be directing the service.