Delbert Leon Taber

Delbert Leon Taber, age 71 of Purcell, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 29, 2023. He was born May 15, 1951 in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, the 4th of 5 children born to Franklin Leon "Jack" Taber and Martha Jane (Trindle) Taber. He spent his early years in Enid, where he began school. He attended high school in Medford, graduating with the Cardinal Class of 1969. Delbert was a standout athlete and captain of the football team, and his high school sweetheart, a young lady named Judy Fore, was the head cheer leader. Delbert and Judy were married on June 27, 1970 in Medford, and the rest, as they say, is history. Delbert attended Oklahoma State for a short time, before opportunity led him to Southern Nazarene University. He later transferred to Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva where he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture Ecology. After graduation, Delbert started working for the U.S. Soil Conservation Service. They first made their home in Idabel. After brief stops in Anadarko and Ft. Cobb, they eventually settled in Beaver where they raised their children, Steffanie, Travis and Ryan. Delbert stayed active in his community, serving as President of the School Board, Mayor of the town, member of the Jaycees, and First United Methodist Church. Delbert was a father figure to many children. He opened his heart and his home to those in need; mentoring, tutoring, and even was a guardian for some. He sponsored many youth trips, summer camps, and will be forever remembered for "Taberball," a 3 on 3 basketball game he hosted in his back yard whenever the weather was warm enough. He was a hard worker, always looking for additional ways to provide for his family, in everything he did, he did it 100%. Delbert was never afraid to take on a new challenge, and when he saw a better opportunity, he changed careers and went to work for the Cabot Oil and Gas Company. After many years of this, he made another change and worked as a construction manager for Hog Slat, before an injury convinced him to seek another path. He earned his insurance license and began working for Oklahoma Farm Bureau in Alva, and later he brought the Taber family to Purcell in 2001. For 20 years, Delbert served the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Purcell location before retiring in August of 2021. In addition to spending time with his family, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, boating and camping. He was an avid Oklahoma State fan, loved wood working, and shared his many talents with family and friends. Delbert was a man of great faith, and a member of the First Baptist Church in Purcell. He served as Deacon and Chairman of the Construction Committee for the new sanctuary. He took great pride in the role he played in the construction of the new church building. He cherished Judy, his children and grandchildren, and was never happier than when his family was all together. He will be dearly missed! He was preceded in death by: his parents, Jack and Martha Taber. His brothers-in-law, Ken Frech and Bill Downing and sisters-in-law Darla Fore and Barbara Taber. Delbert is survived by: his wife, Judy; children, Steffanie Wheeler and husband Kirk of Flower Mound, TX, Travis Taber and wife Amber of Sachse, TX and Ryan Taber and wife Jennifer of Piedmont, OK; sisters, Evelyn Frech of Enid, OK and Marilyn Downing of Medford, OK; brothers, Frank Taber and wife Sandy of Broken Arrow, OK and Albert Taber and wife Celeste of Stillwater, OK; his pride and joy, grandchildren, Kerighan, Kenedy, Kylan, Blake, Logan, Toby, Lexi, Brady, Haley, Hannah, Abby and Kate; many nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends. Funeral Services are scheduled for 10:00 A.M. Friday, February 3, 2023, at First Baptist Church in Purcell. Burial will follow at 3:30 PM at the Pond Creek Cemetery in Pond Creek. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to Church Missions Fund of First Baptist Church Purcell @ 400 W. Main St., Purcell, OK, 73080. www.wilsonlittle.com.

Delbert Leon Taber

May 15, 1951 - January 29, 2023