David Stuart Tarbox

On November 15, 2024, with family and friends at his side, David Stuart Tarbox went to be with his Lord and Saviour.

He was born April 23, 1937 in Asheville, NC.  He was predeceased by his parents, Dr. Donald and Juanita Tarbox. He was also predeceased by siblings John Tarbox, Mary Roberts, Polly Alexander, Ernest Tarbox, and Robert Tarbox.

David accepted Christ as his Saviour at the age of 18 and was baptized at Foreman Memorial Baptist Church in New Ellenton, SC.  At the time of his baptism, he publicly gave his testimony about his newfound faith in Jesus Christ. 

He and Betty Rose Wilson were married January 21, 1967 in the Hallsboro Baptist Church in Hallsboro, NC.  They made their home in Columbia.SC until their retirement in 1993.  Since that time, they have lived in Myrtle Beach.   

After graduating from Aiken High School, he attended Augusta Junior College in Augusta, GA.  He continued his studies at the University of South Carolina, where he received a BS and an MS in biology. He was also a student instructor at USC during his master’s studies.  Throughout his career in education, he received an additional thirty plus hours in the sciences and educational administration.

In the summer of 1968, David received a National Science Foundation Institute scholarship and traveled to the University of California to study molecular biology at the Berkley Lawrence Hall of Science. In the summers of 1969 and 1970, he was awarded additional NSFI scholarships to study chemistry and physics at Louisiana State University.  While teaching in Clearwater, Florida in 1969-70, he studied physical science at the University of Florida, St. Petersburg campus, in an NSFI program.

His South Carolina teaching career spanned 32 years.  It included Myrtle Beach High School, Lower Richland High School and Irmo High School.  He retired as an assistant principal at Irmo Campus R.  Upon moving to Myrtle Beach in 1993, he taught anatomy and physiology at Horry Georgetown Technical College, and biology lab at Coastal Carolina University. 

In 1977, David was named Lexington District Five’s Teacher of the Year and became a member of the South Carolina Honor Roll of Teachers.  He was involved in several educational organizations.

He was loved and admired by his students and teachers.  In David’s own words: “Through the discipline of science, a student learns how to identify and attack new problems as well as how to acquire, examine and evaluate new knowledge.  This lesson, once learned, will serve them well throughout their whole lives.”

He treasured letters of appreciation he received from his former students and their parents, even in the years after he retired. 

His volunteer work in Myrtle Beach included participation in Tuesday night worship services at Myrtle Beach Manor nursing home. For several years, he attended Bible Study Fellowship classes.  He was a member of First Baptist Church, Myrtle Beach.

David and Betty Rose especially enjoyed their travels with South Carolina ETV Endowment.  They developed many lasting friendships on those cross-country tours. 

He loved both sides of his family and cherished his role as an uncle to multiple nieces and nephews and their children.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Betty Rose, and his sister, Claudia Tisdale.  He is also survived by his sisters-in-law: Dixie Rogers, Pat Norris, Carolyn Baldwin, Helen Tarbox, and Margaret Phillips. 

Memorials in David’s honor can be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association, PO Box 750, Merrifield, VA 22116-0844, and First Baptist Church, Myrtle Beach, 500 4th Avenue N, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. 

Services for David will be held on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at 1:30 at McMillan-Small Funeral Home in Myrtle Beach.  The family will receive visitors prior to the service at 12:30.  Burial will follow at Ocean Woods Cemetery in Myrtle Beach.

Livestream viewing of the service will be available: https://www.youtube.com/@MSFH/streams

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