Robert Ray Tabor

Robert Ray Tabor

Robert Ray Tabor, 84, of Lake of the Woods, Locust Grove, died Monday, Feb. 4, 2013, at Mary Washington Hospital.

He was born Dec. 25, 1928, in Bluefield, W.Va., and graduated from Bluemont High School, Cumberland, Md., in 1946. He was a 1950 graduate of Shepherd College, with a bachelor's degree in biology. He received a master's degree in administration from the College of William & Mary and was certified in biology, government and social studies.

Mr. Tabor is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Allan Holstine Tabor, of Lake of the Woods. They were married June 20, 1959, and lived in the D.C. and Fairfax region for 55 years, until his retirement in January of 2011. He is also survived by a daughter, Rachel Elizabeth Tabor of Locust Grove; and a son, Robert Wesley Stinson Tabor of Barboursville.

Mr. Tabor served his country in the United States Marine Corps from 1951 until 1953.

He was employed by George Washington High School in Alexandria as a teacher and football coach for two years and was head football coach for three years at Groveton High School. He was a personnel director with Fairfax County Public Schools for two years; assistant principal for two years and principal of Fairfax High School for 14 years at both the old school (now Paul VI High School) and the new school; and a principal of the current Fairfax High School for nine years. He was the principal of Mark Twain Intermediate School in Alexandria for one year; government teacher and coach in 1976 at Oakton High School in Oakton; and assistant principal, teacher and coach at Bishop Dennis J. O'Connell High School in Arlington for 26 years.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 15, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Spotsylvania. The Rev. Jerry Wooten will officiate.

Johnson Funeral Home, Locust Grove, is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made to johnsoncares.com.