Delbert L. "Dub" Nabors

D.L. “Dub” Nabors, 84, of Belton, MO passed away March 21, 2015. He was born to parents Delbert Ancil Nabors and Lillian Irene (Carver) Nabors on June 18, 1930 in Kansas City, MO. Shortly after his birth, the family moved back to Watonga, OK, where he spent much of his childhood. He returned to Kansas City and attended Northeast High School his sophomore year during which time he was recruited by the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. His father wanted him to wait another year before signing, so Dub turned his sights toward embarking on an illustrious boxing career during which time he earned the distinction of being the Golden Gloves’ only four time champion: garnering titles as the light heavyweight champion of 1949, and as the heavyweight champion in 1950, 1951 and 1952. Dub also was the heavyweight victor of the very first sporting event ever to be televised live from Kansas City. The start of a prominent career with the Teamsters began in 1952, when he was brought into the office as a business agent for Local #541. In 1957, he became the general organizer for Joint Council #56. A man of great respect, Dub rose to prominence as President of Local #41, President of Joint Council #56, President and Chairman of the MOKAN Conference, Chairman of Local Cartage for the Central States, and was a member of the twelve man National Freight Grievance Committee. He also negotiated the very first contract that gave workers the Friday after Thanksgiving as a holiday, something most working Americans appreciate today. Dub was also an accomplished horseman that saw horses he raised earn multiple championships. Dub was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Colleen Nabors, in 2009. He is survived by his son, T.L. “Duker” Nabors; granddaughters, Jennifer Nabors, Julie Nabors and her children Bryce and Brooke Lillian, and Anna Betts and her husband David and their four children, Cole, Logan, Leni Colleen and Caroline. A visitation will be held from 6-8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 27, at the Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, MO. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at the chapel with burial to follow at Mound Grove Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)