Borbor G. Tarr

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Honor, Mr. Borbor Gbagba Tarr, Sr., our beloved father, hero and countryman. At the age of 84, he peacefully passed away on May 1, 2024, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND.  He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mrs. Martha Wombeh Tarr, with whom he shared 45 wonderful years of marriage.

Born on February 15, 1940 in Gbatar, Dougbor Statutory District, Rivercess County, Republic of Liberia, Mr. Borbor Gbagba Tarr was a remarkable man known for his strength and resilience. His parents, Mr. Pelu Tarr and Mrs. Funny Tarr, raised him in the village where he lived until their passing. At the young age of fourteen, he took on the role of a father figure and mentor to care for his late mother and siblings, demonstrating his maturity and selflessness early on in life.

Following his father's death, Gbagba moved to Capitol By Pass, formerly known as Bishop Brooks, to live with his uncle Henry Zeagar in Monrovia at the age of fifteen. There, he attended Monrovia Demonstrations School at night. Gbagba's passion for providing for his beloved mother and siblings in the village led him to drop out of school to work as a carpenter helper for Farrell Line Shipping Company (Denco Shipping Line) in 1953 at the age of fifteen, with the help of his late uncle Henry Zeagar. 

During his time in Monrovia, his eldest brother, David Tarr, acted as a mentor, guiding him through the ins and outs of city living and serving as a father figure. Thanks to David's guidance, he was able to acquire land and construct multiple homes in Liberia. Both uncle David and our father were influential family figures, bringing the family together and fostering unity.

As he matured into adulthood, he entered into marriage with his first wife, Mrs. Konwlee Tarr, in the year 1960, and together they were fortunate to welcome two children into their lives, namely Morris and James. Following the passing of his first wife in 1963, he subsequently took as his spouse Mrs. Martha Wombeh Karnga in 1964, and together they were abundantly blessed with ten children, namely Anthony, Thompson, Judy, Smith, Preston, Pelu, Victoria, Mech, Madia, and Annie.

As a result of his unwavering commitment, diligent efforts, and extensive tenure as an employee, in 1978, our dad was elevated to the position of procurement manager. He served in this capacity until his retirement in 1990, which was necessitated by the Liberian civil war. 

During the tumultuous period of the civil war, Gbagba sought refuge in his beloved hometown of Gbartar along with his family. It was a joyous reunion for him as he was able to reconnect with his elder brother, David Tarr, younger brother, Eddie, sister, Sarah Freeman, cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Living amongst his loved ones was like a dream come true for him, and he cherished every moment of it. Being the custodian of the family history and that of Central Rivercess District, he possessed an in-depth knowledge of the history of every clan, village, town, and individual. Our dad dedicated his life to spreading love and promoting unity among people while educating them about the rich history of Rivercess. His love for people was reflected in his popularity and the countless lives he touched wherever he went.

Our father, affectionately known as "BT," was a devoted Christian who held a deep love for the Lord Jesus Christ. Upon relocating to Sowneawen, Monrovia, Gbagba and Martha joined the African Glory Pentecostal Church, where he found a welcoming community and eagerly engaged in church activities. His unwavering commitment to the church and his faith ultimately led to his appointment as the head deacon, a role in which he served with admirable dedication. Even after he moved to the United States, our father remained an influential figure in the spiritual and financial growth of the church, working diligently to bring more souls to the Lord.

During the Liberian civil war, Honorable Gbagba Tarr and his family settled in Danane, Ivory Coast. While residing there, our father made a profound positive impact on countless lives. The children in our neighborhood knew that our home was a safe haven where they could always find love and nourishing meals. Every person who entered Honorable Tarr's home left with not only a full stomach but also a piece of Gbartar village's history. Our father's open-heartedness extended to everyone, and his kind words and warm smile had the power to brighten even the darkest of days. Tragically, Honorable Gbagba Tarr lost his beloved wife on June 23, 1997, at 6:00 PM. He made a vow never to remarry, as he believed that no one could ever replace her. For 27 years, Honorable Gbagba Tarr dedicated himself to raising his children until his passing. He was an exceptional father and will always be remembered as such.

In 1999, Gbagba made the life-changing decision to relocate to the United States of America, settling with his children in California and later moved to Pennsylvania. Upon arrival, he was joyfully reunited with his other children, Anthony and Judy. Gbagba had a deep passion for serving Christ, which led him to become a highly valued member of the African Methodist Church in Trenton, New Jersey. His unwavering commitment to his faith was recognized with his appointment as an Elder.

Later, when he moved to Fargo, ND, Honorable Gbagba became a member of Faith Hope Love Church in Moorhead, MN, and continued to live out his faith. At Faith Hope Love Church, he established bonds with other parishioners and the head Pastor, Ron Bakken.

Gbagba was a truly remarkable man who cherished his role as a devoted family man. He possessed an unwavering sense of honor and love, and his genuine passion for connecting with people from all walks of life, regardless of their race, tribe, or ethnicity, was evident in his frequent use of the nickname "BT" when meeting new people. His selfless nature and willingness to go above and beyond to help those in need left an indelible mark on everyone he encountered. For those who knew him, Gbagba will always be remembered as an exceptional human being.

Gbagba will be greatly missed by his children, Morris, Anthony, Thompson, Judy, Smith, James, Preston, Pelu, Victoria, Mech, Madia, Annie, Hannah, Meconie, Yvonne, Emmanuel, Keema, Steven, David Jr, Sarah, Margaret; one brother, Eddie Tarr; and special brother-in-law, Dwight; grandchildren,  Anthony, Sectony, Antoinette, Othello, Courage, Ephraim, Estalla, Anthony Boyblue, Tony, Emma, Borbor, Teddy, Madea, Lester, James, Preston Jr, Chocho, Marthalyne, Blessing, Kamayia, Mariah, Wombeh, Samantha, Joye, Nelson, Sarah, Monoica, Louise, Gbargba, Mary, Garpue. Grace, Sarah, Nejay, Emmett, Emanlaine, Fatima, Desmond, Mary, Louise, Emmanuel, Erin, Anthony Jr., Mariah, Ashley, Monica,  James Jr., Joanna,  Samuel David, Sunny Clan-chief; and several great-grandchildren. In addition, he is survived by nieces and nephews, Vahplahn Zeegar- Holman, Tryphena Banks, Phillp Gaye, Hannah Twehway Uris Cooper, Ernest Gargar, Jackson Monsee! Alfred Sione, Martha Sinoe, Samuel Gbaa, Anna Totimeh; uncle, Harrison Duncan; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral Service for Borbor will be Friday, May 17, 2024 at 3pm in Faith, Hope and Love Church, Moorhead.  

(Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, Moorhead, MN)