Obituary of Daniel Bryce Tabert

Dan passed away December 28, 2011 at the age of 76 surrounded by his family after a long battle with prostate and bone cancer. Dan was born August 16, 1935 in Portland, Oregon. He grew up in the Capitol Hill and Multnomah neighborhoods attending Multnomah, Capitol Hill and St. Clare Elementary schools. He graduated from Benson High School where he focused on automotive education. After graduation, Dan drove cement trucks. He followed that with purchasing a log truck and worked in the logging industry with his father Daniel. He continued in the trucking business by driving long haul for Coast Transport and hauling fuel for Widing Transportation. He later worked for Fred H Slate Company hauling heavy equipment from job site to job site throughout the Northwest for multiple years. He started his own dump trucking and excavation business, Dan Tabert Trucking. He reluctantly retired in 2010 having devoted his life to playing in the dirt and expanding the business. Dan married his longtime neighbor and sweetheart Jacquetta (Jackie) Vick in 1959. They have three children and lived in Tigard, Oregon where Dan coached Little League. They moved to Sherwood, Oregon in 1988. Dan’s real passion in life was purchasing and restoring automobiles. In 1956 he bought his first new 1956 Chevrolet Hardtop and in 1957 traded it in for a brand new 1957 Chevrolet Hardtop. He loved to show off the cars and enjoyed drag racing on I-5 between the Tigard and Lake Oswego exits with his buddies. His first Model T was a 1926 Roadster which he would give the neighborhood kids rides in before he restored it. He traded the Model T for a 1913 Overland which was a larger touring car for the family. They toured with the Historical Automobile Club of Oregon and he became a founding member of the Horseless Carriage Club of Oregon. He worked his way through the various chairs of the club to eventually become President. Dan joined the Early Ford V-8 Club in 1967. He bought a 1939 Ford 4-Door Convertible Sedan that was in serious need of restoration. After countless man hours and miles spent looking for parts, the car was restored to its original condition and has won many prestigious awards. It remains in his collection today. Dan served as Vice President and President of the V-8 club and was awarded “Mr. V-8” in 1992. Dan held memberships in the American Truck Historical Society and the Pacific Northwest Truck Museum. He restored countless automobiles and trucks from Corvettes to Crosleys, Freightliners to Kenworths. His passion will no doubt remain with him throughout eternity. Dan is survived by his wife Jackie of Sherwood, daughter Lauri Tabert O’Connor of Sherwood, son Mark (Kim) of Sherwood and son Dean (Lesa) of Tigard; grandson Jordi and granddaughters Brittany, Jennifer and Meagan as well as Brother-In-Law Dan (Ginni). In Lieu of Flowers, please make remembrances to Providence Hospice Portland Area 503-215-2273. The Tabert family would like to thank all our family friends and co-workers for the enormous amount of support we have received during this trying time particularly over the holidays. For information on Dan’s Celebration of Life gathering January 14, 2012 please contact via e-mail Lauri at lltoc@msn.com or Kim at kimitabert@gmail.com or leave a message with contact information at 503-925-0131 Arrangements by Crown Memorial Center - Tualatin