Paul Taber

Paul Eugene Taber, Jr., 83, of Conway, Arkansas, passed away June 12, 2025, at UAMS in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Paul was born March 21, 1942 in Eldora, Iowa to Paul and Elnora Brandt Taber. He Graduated from New Providence, Iowa High School, class of 1960 and earned a BS in Animal Science (meat industry option) at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. He spent the next 48 years in the meat industry either in plant management or a supplier in the industry. He was in sales and marketing with the Devro division of Johnson and Johnson in Summerville, New Jersey, which became Nitta Casings for a total of 24 years. Paul went to work for one of his customers as Plant Manager at the Odom Tennessee Pride plan in Little Rock, Arkansas for 16 years. With changes in the meat industry internationally, Paul also worked as Director of Marketing for Viscofan USA, a Spanish company in Montgomery, Alabama. When Paul retired at the age of 70, the thing he missed most were the friends he has made with his Nitta Customers throughout the USA.

Paul was president of the Southwest Meat Association in 1991, president of South Little Rock Rotary Club from 1986-1987. He was a Paul Harris Fellow. Sales meetings and tradeshows in the US and Europe allowed him to attend Super Bowls 6 and 7, ball games in Madison Square Garden, Dallas Cowboy football games in Dallas, Texas with family, as well as traveling with friends in Europe and the Caribbean. His least favorite outing was deep sea fishing. He and Shirley traveled all 50 states, Canada, Germany, Spain, Austria, and France.

Paul and Shirley, his wife of 61 years, retired to Conway, Arkansas in 2015. Active in the First United Methodist Church, he was a member of the Forum Class, the weekly Men’s Prayer Breakfast and enjoyed day trips exploring Arkansas. A weekly favorite- Thursday’s lunch with the ROMEOS- Retired Old Men Eating Outing in Conway.

He was preceded in death by his parents Paul E. Taber and Elnora (Brandt) Taber, brother Lyle Jay Taber and wife Joyce; sister, Lynn Rae Taber; and son-in-law, Sam Elliott.

He is survived by wife, Shirley; daughters Cathleen Bailey (Tim) of Little Rock, Arkansas, Teresa Elliott, Lawrenceburg, Indiana; grandchildren, Meagan Nichols (Timbo) of Madison, Alabama, Alex Kreps (Katie) of Sherwood, Arkansas, Sarah Elliott (Riley) of Cincinnati, Ohio, Paul Elliott of Newport, Kentucky; and five extra special great-grandchildren, Stella and Sammy Nichols, and Phoebe, Thomas, and Madison Kreps.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, June 27, 2025, at First United Methodist Church, 1610 Prince St, Conway, Arkansas 72034 with visitation starting at 9:00 AM and service starting at 10:00 AM followed by a reception for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to First United Methodist Church or your favorite charity.