Guy "Buddy" Tabor

1949 - 2012

Local singer and songwriter Guy "Buddy" Tabor died Sunday evening February 5, 2012 in Juneau. He was 63. Buddy had been receiving treatment for cancer since September. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by friends and family.

Buddy was born March 12, 1949 in Roanoke, Virginia, the son of Guy Edison Tabor Sr. and Mazie Geraldine Gardner Tabor. He grew up in Roanoke where he attended local schools. His mother was a homemaker who sang in the choir of the West End United Methodist Church. His father supported his family as a sign painter.

He first came to Alaska in 1967 where he worked for the Post Office, for the Alaska Railroad and on the TransAlaska oil pipeline. In 1976 he married Jeannette Chee. He and Jeannette moved to Juneau in 1977 where he worked for the City and Borough of Juneau, the State of Alaska, Catholic Community Services, brief ownership of the Orpheum Theatre and then self-employment as a housepainter in partnership with long-time friend Franz Schneider.

Buddy began playing guitar at age 14. He worked hard to become a disciplined and accomplished guitarist and musician. Over his lifetime Buddy had a highly productive career as a singer-songwriter who produced and released nine albums and wrote hundreds of original songs. Among his many musical and poetic influences were Bob Dylan, Hank Williams, John Prine, Adrian C. Lewis, Rebecca Lee Yates, Joy Harjo, Sherman Alexie and the King James Bible. His first paid gig was at the Red Dog Saloon in the 70s. Other appearances included over three decades of Alaska Folk Festival performances and shows at the Orpheum, McPhetre's Hall, Resurrection Lutheran Church and many other venues where he was often joined by musician friends such as Betsy Sims, Collette Costa, Albert McDonnell, John Hartle, Riley Woodford, Pat Henry, Jason Caputo, Justin Smith, Kevin Barr, Art Johns, Paul and Melissa Zahasky, the late Bob Pavitt and many others in Alaska and Yukon Territory. He was a member and supporter of the Alaska Folk Festival from its inception.

In recent years Buddy was a participant in a regular song circle with Terry and Frederick Hoskinson, Elva Bontrager, Gerry Fiscus, Sandy Warner, Mike Truax, Cheryl Cook, Kathy Hawker and George Trani.

Buddy also performed regularly for inmates at Folsom Prison in collaboration with poet Marty Williams. His final performance was at the California prison in December 2011. In addition he opened for national stars Nancy Griffith, Townes Van Zandt and Iris DeMent.

Buddy's song "Get Up Dogs," was featured on ABC's Wide World of Sports and other documentaries, and his songs "New Fallen Snow," and "My Father's Grave" was covered by the Undertakin' Daddies, a Canadian band.

Buddy was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Jeannette, his sons Joshua and Jesse, his sisters Ann Carol Light, her husband Auburn Light, and their children, Aubie and Alex; Barbara Yvonne Tabor Flora and her husband Ben Flora; Judy Rae Tabor and her children Keaton Tabor and Judith Tabor DeShawn and by Margaret Tabor Armstrong and her husband Tommy, and their children Michelle, Rebecca and Meghan.

His ecumenical funeral was Saturday, February 11th at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in downtown Juneau.

Photo courtesy of Brian Wallace.