Douglas Tabb

WILSON - Douglas Cowles Tabb, 92, died Monday, March 9, 2009. Doug Tabb was born in Newport News, VA, and grew up in Wilmington, NC. After attending the University of Richmond, he began his banking career with First and Merchants National Bank in Richmond, and helped open a branch in the Pentagon in Arlington, VA. He later became president of the Richmond chapter of the American Institute of Banking. In the early 1950s Doug moved to Wilson with Wilson Industrial Bank. After its merger with BB&T, he served as vice-president of the Installment Loan Department until his retirement in 1981. Doug also served as Thesis Advisor for the Consumer School of Banking at the University of Virginia for 18 years. During World War II, Doug was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps. He was trained as a B-24 pilot and received his wings on August 4, 1944. Doug was president of the Wilson Rotary Club, where he was recognized for more than 40 years of perfect attendance and honored as an initial Paul Harris Fellow for service to the club and the Wilson community. Doug volunteered for twenty years as treasurer for the East Carolina Council of the Boy Scouts of America and earned the Silver Beaver Award for his commitment to scouting. He was elected president of the Wilson Chamber of Commerce in 1963, served as chairman of the Wilson United Way, and was a dedicated member of the First Baptist Church for 57 years, ordained as a deacon in 1965. Doug was an avid golfer and he continued to play regularly until 2007. He shot his age many times, and scored three holes in one. Surviving is his wife of 54 years, Eleanor Johnson Tabb; sons, Douglas "Rusty" Tabb, Jr.