Jack & Barbara Tabor

Today we are celebrating the life of two wonderful people who have left this world to join our loving God in Heaven.

Jack Dempsey Tabor was the youngest of six children born in Muldrow Oklahoma to James and Dovie Tabor. After his father died when he was only a toddler, he and his brother James “Jim”, age six, were sent to live at the American Legion Children’s Home in Ponca City, Oklahoma where they resided until graduating high school. Jack served in the US Army from 1948-1952 and afterwards the National Guard until 1956. Jack earned a bachelor’s degree in education. He taught jr. high wood working and was a wrestling and golf coach. In 1960 he met Barbara Carney Kekahbah in Blackwell, Oklahoma at a café where she was waitressing. After a short courtship they married on October 20, 1960. Jack and Barbara remained married for 60 years.

Barbara Ann Carney was born in Nashville, Tennessee on August 4, 1936, to Francis and Bessie “Irene” Carney. She had an older sister, Francis, and a younger brother, Gary. She grew up in Blackwell, Oklahoma where she graduated high school. Soon after graduating she married Robert “Bob” Kekahbah. Together they had one son, Tony. Barbara and Bob divorced in January of 1959.

After Jack and Barbara married, they moved to Edmond, Oklahoma with son, Tony, whom Jack adopted. Jack taught wood working shop and coached at the Edmond Jr. high and Barbara was the school secretary at Russel Dougherty Elementary. After working several years here, her schoolteacher friends and Jack encouraged her to attend Central State University to get a degree in elementary education. She worked hard getting her degree while continuing her job as a secretary. Barbara taught school for over 20 years, mostly 2nd grade. She loved teaching and absolutely loved those kids.

After retirement Jack and Barbara traveled every year pulling their 5th wheel trailer down to The Valley in south Texas for winter and up to Angel Fire, New Mexico for summer. They loved camping, gardening, and taking walks. They adored their two grandchildren and later their two great-grandsons. Jack was an every weekend golfer. Barbara attended Edmond Christian Church. She was in several social groups and could never say no to anyone needing help.

Jack and Barbara were preceded in death by their son, Anthony “Tony” Kekahbah.

Jack and Barbara are survived by granddaughter, Valerie Leeper, and her 5-year-old twins, Logan and Madison, grandson, Austin Tabor and his sons, Liam and Aeden, daughter-in-law, Janice Kemper and Barbara’s sister, Francis Shoffner.

Jack was a more serious soul, but complemented Barbara’s fun-loving spirit. They were two very special people.

A celebration of life will be held for Barbara and Jack Tabor at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 24, 2026, at Matthews Funeral Home Chapel in Edmond, Oklahoma.

An inurnment service for Barbara will be held graveside at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 27, 2026, at Arcadia IOOF in Arcadia, Oklahoma.