James R. Taber

1927 - 2010

James R. Taber passed away in a local hospital on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010, at the age of 83. Dad was born on Oct. 25, 1927, in North Bend, Ore. to Glenn and Frieda Taber. He grew up in Genesee, Idaho and graduated from high school in Colfax, Wash. after his high school basketball team played in the state championship games.
In high school, he was known as "Slab" because he was tall and thin. He entered the navy near the end of WWII and worked on ships that "cleaned up "after the nuclear test firings in the Bikini Islands.
He returned home and met his wife, Geneva, at Walla Walla Business College. There began a long, loving and wonderful life together. They began in Pasco, Wash. where he worked for an accountant. After working a season in the fishing industry in Alaska with his brother-in-law, Stan Peratrovich, Dad began working for Kaiser Engineers as a contract engineer working with many sub-contractors on industrial building projects. This began an exciting career with moves every few years which allowed him and his family to see most of the United States with jobs also in Argentina and Indonesia.
He was a faithful and dedicated Christian man who served his family and church in many, many ways. He assisted in building churches both in the U.S. and in Argentina. He served in many church capacities such as church treasurer, financial supporter, prayer warrior, missionary friend and substitute father, church board member, church janitor, and every other task to support the work of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If the church door was open at his church, he was there with his family. People were blessed with his singing voice and dedicated life.
Jim is survived by his three daughters and son-in-laws: Virginia (Ginny) and Lon Gilbert of Nampa, Idaho; Judy and Steve Shock of Boise, Idaho; and Beverly and Michael Hilliard of Yokosuka, Japan. In addition, Jim has six wonderful grandchildren: Julie and Malcolm Collie of Nampa, Idaho; Carrie and Javan Toy of Lakeland, Florida; Jeanette and Kevin Kirkpatrick of Meridian, Idaho; Joel Shock of Los Angeles, Calif.; Ian and Brittany Hilliard of Boise, Idaho; and Jayson Hilliard of Yokosuka, Japan. He was blessed with 6 great-grandchildren who loved him very much: Katie and Kris Kirkpatrick, Calum and Zoe Collie, Deegan Hilliard, and Kylie Toy. Also surviving is his only sister, Evelyn Peratrovich (90 years old) of Bainbridge Island, Wash.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his only brother Robert.
A visitation for family and friends will be held Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Alsip & Persons Funeral Chapel located at 404 10th Ave. S., Nampa, Idaho. 466-3545. A funeral service will be held on Friday, Dec. 31, 2010, 11 a.m. at Karcher Church of the Nazarene, 2515 W. Karcher Road, Nampa, Idaho.
Condolences for the family may be left online at www.alsipfuneralchapel.com.