Monte James Tabor, age 78, passed away on Friday, April 14, 2017 in Fort Pierce, FL. He was born to Clarence W. and Thelma (Bieber) Tabor in Camden, NJ. Mr. Tabor was an Iron Worker with Local 399 for 36 years. He was also a consultant for United Fabricator’s Company and subsidiaries, a family owned business in Camden, NJ. Mr. Tabor was a skilled welder, certified in many welding processes.

Monte attended Palmyra High School and Valley Forge Military Academy. He served in the Marine Corps.

Monte was a gifted wildlife artist, and he was extremely proud of his Native American heritage. In his younger days, he enjoyed coon hunting all over the United States, and was renowned for his champion coon hounds. He was also well known for his deer hunting and fishing skills, from the Jersey Pine Barrens to Florida. Fishing was his passion. He established the Black Water Bass Guide Service and acted as a guide for many years. Monte received several recognition awards for his fishing, including “Best in Species” from Sports Afield, the “Skillful Angler Award” from the State of NJ, and the “Berkley Angler of the Week” award. He was a former member of the Salem County Sportsmen’s Club, and a life member of B.A.S.S. He was also a NASCAR fan and an Eagles fan. Monte was a member of the Haddonfield/Cherry Hill Masonic Lodge #130, was a 32nd degree Mason in the Collingswood consistory, and also was a Shriner in the Trenton Mosque for 51 years.

Monte and his wife, Carol, called Hancock’s Bridge “home”, but they enjoyed spending summers at their home in Ocean View, DE, and winters on Hutchinson Island in Ft. Pierce, Florida. Seldom was Monte seen without his wife, Carol, by his side.

Monte was a generous, compassionate, unforgettable character, and his unique sense of humor drew people to him. He was known for making people laugh and smile. Everyone who knows Monte has a story to tell about him. He was a gentleman and a “man’s man”, admired and respected by his family and friends. He will be sadly missed and forever in the heart of his loving wife, Carol.

He is survived by his wife, Carol (Martin) Tabor; two stepsons, Charles V. Duty, Jr. and Thomas G. Smith, Jr.; his grandson, Brandon Smith; his sister-in-law, Pat Tabor; and his nieces, Jessica Sutton and Tiffany Tabor. He was predeceased by his parents and his younger brother, Mark R. Tabor.

Funeral services will be held at 1 PM on Friday, April 28th in the H.T. Layton Funeral Home, where friends are invited to visit from 12 PM until 1 PM. Burial will follow the service in Hancock’s Bridge Methodist Cemetery in Harmersville.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Lucie Hospice House, 5090 Dunn Rd., Fort Pierce, FL, 34981.

Please visit www.htlayton.com to leave a note of condolence to the family. Arrangements are by the H.T. Layton Funeral Home & Cremation Service.