James Allen Taber, 75 years, passed to heaven on Sept. 5, 2010 at the Heart of the Ozarks Center, Ava, Mo.
James was born Dec. 10, 1934 in Rome, Mo., in Douglas County, to Boise and Dessie (Frye) Taber. He graduated from Ava High School.
James was employed as an over the road truck driver.
James and Betty Burton were united in marriage in 1973. He was an Army veteran and served during the Korean Conflict. James loved playing pitch at the Ava Senior Citizens, watching NASCAR, driving big rigs, and working for the children at the Shriner’s Hospital. He really had a giving spirit equaled by none.
He was a Baptist and a member of the Sandy Church. He was also a member of the Ava Masonic Lodge and a Shriner.
James was preceded by his parents, Boise and Dessie Frye Taber.
James is survived by his brothers, Lonnie Taber, of Ava, and Roy and wife, Susan, of Fair Grove; two sisters, Lisa and her husband, James Rentfro, of Aurora, and Barbara Murray, of Arkansas; and a step brother, Russell Selvidge, of Washington state. James is also survived by several cousins, including Bob Siler, who James called his, “brother” and many other friends and relatives.
Funeral services for James were at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, at the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with Masonic services and burial following in the Sherrodd Cemetery in Taney County near Brownbranch with full military honors by Douglas County American Legion Post 112 and Ava VFW Post 5993.
Visitation was Tuesday, Sept. 7, from 6 to 7 p.m. in the funeral home. Officiating were the Revs. Sue Clayton and Frances Humbyrd.
Memorials may be made to Shiners Children’s Hospital or Sherrodd Cemetery. Online conÂdolences may be made to www. clinkingbeardfuneralhome.com.
