Leonard Alfred Tabor

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Leonard Alfred Tabor was born on Feb. 26, 1932, in Wilkesboro, and departed this life on March 14, 2023, in Odenton, Md., at age 91.

Born to Sadie Juanita Blackburn and Leonard Aaron Tabor, he spent his youth between Wilkesboro and Philadelphia, Penn., with many summers with the Tabor family in Mocksville. He graduated from Lincoln Heights High School as the class salutatorian and always seeking knowledge, continued his studies at North Carolina Central University with a Bachelor of Science degree in entomology. He later received a fellowship to earn a Master’s of Science degree from the University of Maryland, College Park.

In 1955, Leonard was drafted into the United States Navy, where he proudly served as a Navy Corpsmen stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. After leaving the Navy, Leonard served 32 years with the federal government in Washington, D.C. His service began at the Pentagon, in the Adjutant Generals Office. He later spent time working in the research department with the Agricultural Research Service, National Agricultural Library and completed his government career with the Food and Nutrition Service.

After retiring, he obtained a grant from the National Science Foundation to work in the chemistry laboratory at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, Md. An avid reader and sports enthusiast, he enjoyed watching the Washington Redskins (Commanders), Golden State Warriors, golf and the Maryland Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams. He served on the vestry board at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, Boy Scout Committeeman and became an Order of the Arrow recipient. He also served as an officer in the Arundel High School Band Association.

Through his love of genealogy, he served as the historian and genealogist for the Harris Family of Wilkes County. Through his decades of research, he was able to trace the Harris family back through the Revolutionary War. (Note: There was no internet search, and all work was done in libraries, courthouses and cemeteries.)

Leonard was proceeded in death by his wife, Ethel Watkins Tabor; mother and father; and brother, Stephen E. Blackburn; and a host of other relatives and friends. He is survived by his son, Mark, and daughter-in-law, Ann Tabor; daughter, Tracy Tabor of Clayton; grandchildren, Victoria (Tabor) and Edward Schneider of Crofton, Md., Jeffrey Tabor of Nashville, Tenn.; great-grandsons, John Nelson and Blaine Schneider of Crofton, Md. A special thanks to Susanne Guercioni for all her loving care and support. And lastly, his playful cat, Adagi.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m., March 25, 2023, at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel in North Wilkesboro, with internment in Mountain Park Cemetery in Wilkesboro.

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