April 1, 2025, 78, Cape Carteret —
December 7, 1946 – April 1, 2025
Roy Samuel “Sam” Rabon, Jr., 78, passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 with his wife by his side. Sam was born in Wayne County to the late Roy Samuel Rabon, Sr. and Bonnie Taylor Jackson on December 7, 1946. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his older sister, Maggie Rabon Funderburk of Chattahoochee, FL.
Sam joined the US Air Force soon after graduating from New Hope High School in the class of 1965 and learned electronics from supporting RADAR computer sites. He and Von married young and charted their course together in 1967, beginning with their USAF assignment to North Truro station in Cape Cod, MA, where their son, Sam, was born.
Following his service to the country, he returned to North Carolina and pursued a career in high-tech and computer companies within the Raleigh area, where he and Von would raise their son. Besides many father-son golf rounds at old courses like Wil Mar and Eagle Crest, Sam spent countless hours volunteering at Wilders Grove as football statistician and baseball coach in the 1970s and 80s. In between practices and all-star games, the family would head east to drive on the beaches from Nags Head to Carolina Beach.
After more than twenty-seven (27) years working with the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) as a service provider for its Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), Sam and Von retired to the beach to be near their son and his family in Emerald Isle. Many more rounds of golf resumed, and Sam served as a starter at the Star Hill Golf Course. He purportedly made a couple of birdies in his last round with his golf-buddy Fred Fredeen before Sam’s departure to heaven.
Sam, more affectionately known as “Grandpa,” by his three granddaughters will always be remembered by welcoming them with a “hey kiddo” and a big smile. Grandpa frequently attended dance recitals and numerous football games to see his granddaughters dance and cheer. His family never doubted how proud he was of them, and they will always cherish his love and support.
A service of love and remembrance will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, April 7, 2025, at Rouse Funeral Home with Gary Tilghman officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 1:00 p.m. on-site. Committal with military honors will immediately follow the service at Fairview Cemetery, La Grange.
Sam is survived by his wife of 58 years, Yvonne “Von” Wade Rabon; son, Roy Samuel “Sam” Rabon, III (and wife, Lisa) of Emerald Isle, NC; grandchildren, Taylor Rabon Meares (and husband, Michael) of Washington, DC; Allyson Rabon of Brooklyn, NY; and Mackenzie Rabon attending App State in Boone, NC. Sam is also survived by his younger sister, Sara Tolar of Quincy, FL.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange.
