Jon Robert Tabb

Jon Robert Tabb, 75, of Prince George, VA died peacefully at VCU Medical Center in Richmond, VA on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023. Born in Ames, IA on June 10, 1948, he was the son of the late John Robert Tabb and Waulda "Buzz" Buzzard Tabb. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Barbara Tabb; two daughters, Melisa "Lisa" Thurman (Chris) of Colonial Heights and Kristen Hurlocker (Paul) of Richmond; 4 grandchildren, Joseph "Joey" Strader, John "Johnny" Strader, Lauren Kate Hurlocker, and Benjamin "Ben" Hurlocker; two brothers, James Robert Tabb of Villages, FL and Jeffrey Mark Tabb of Norfolk; a sister, Tara Jo Hayden of Norfolk; and 8 nephews and nieces and numerous great nephews and nieces. He is predeceased by a grandson, Joshua "Josh" Strader.
He moved to Norfolk, VA with his family in 1955. He was a graduate of Maury High School where he, like his brothers, held many swimming records. After a year at Old Dominion University, he enlisted in the Navy to stand up for his country's freedom in 1967. When speaking of his time in the Navy, he told stories of his travels, and how the Navy sparked his love for travel. He left the Navy in 1973 and returned to Old Dominion University, earning his BA. After graduation, he remained at his alma mater and worked in the computer sciences department where he met his wife, Barbara. In 1982, he moved with his family to Colonial Heights, VA to pursue a career with Philip Morris in Richmond, VA. He worked as an IT manager for Philip Morris International until his retirement in 2009.
As a boy, he became friends with Robert Hall and Scott Rhodes, who would become more like brothers as they grew older. Those friendships would last a lifetime. One of his proudest accomplishments was becoming an Eagle Scout in 1966. He would go on to support others to join the Boy Scouts of America with the goal of becoming an Eagle Scout. He and his wife would travel extensively, including trips to China, Wales, England, France, and Africa. He was proud of his roots and had a desire to know how far they stretched. After years of research, he became the family historian and maintained meticulous records of generations of Tabbs and Buzzards. He was a member of the Tarbay Gun Club and enjoyed the fellowship of the friends he made there.
A gathering of friends and family will be held at J.T. Morriss & Sons Funeral Home in Hopewell, VA from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 5, 2023. Interment will be in Corwith, IA with military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the John R. Tabb Scholarship Fund in Economics, c/o of Dr. Agarwal, Economics Department, Constant Hall 2044, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529.