Gerald Davis ("Jerry") McKibben, 89, passed away with grace and peace on December 26, 2025, with family at his side.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 66 years, Carol Ann Klimpt McKibben, and by his three children, Michael (Laura) of Vestavia Hills, Alabama; Sharon (Joe) of Overland Park, Kansas; and Keith (Julie) of Topeka, Kansas. He also is survived by his twin brother, Eugene Gladden McKibben (Sara) of St. Charles, Missouri, and five grandchildren, Sarah Montana, Emily McGrath, Elaina Mahoney, Mitchell Latimer, and Max McKibben. He is preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Bebe McKibben of Joplin, Missouri, and brothers Jack and David McKibben, also of Joplin. He is also survived by his beloved caregivers during his final year on this Earth: Lisa Hardrick and Kesha Williams and the Family Private Care team.
Jerry and Gene grew up as noted athletes in the Joplin area, with Jerry's best sport being baseball. He was offered a contract by the Pittsburgh Pirates at age 15, and also later by the New York Yankees. Instead, he and Gene opted to become the first of their family to attend and graduate from college, attending what is now Pittsburg (Kansas) State University, with a degree in business administration.
Marrying Carol upon graduation, Jerry worked for International Paper Company until his retirement, which included living in: Joplin twice; Mobile, AL twice; Wiggins, MS; Camden, AR; Kansas City, MO; and Greensboro, NC. Jerry did at IP what is almost impossible in modern day business, ascending from a start as a bookkeeper in Joplin to serve as a chief financial officer of the building products division and, ultimately, to lead auditor for affiliate Dillard Paper Co.
Jerry and Carol retired after his 60th birthday and moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas, where they lived for 27 years before relocating to Brookdale Senior Living in Birmingham.
Jerry served in numerous community services and loved recreational activities. He was a Fourth-Degree member of the Knights of Columbus during his 25 years at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Bella Vista. He also was a member of numerous community charitable organizations such as Rotary and Lion's Club in cities where he lived. He taught himself to play golf at age 37; in retirement, he became an avid golfer, who shot his age more times than not as he played into his 80's. He and Carol enjoyed bridge for decades with close friends. Jerry also became a 10K runner while in Kansas City, participating in numerous race events there and in Birmingham.
A memorial service to celebrate Jerry's life will be held Tuesday, December 30, 2025, with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and service to follow at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Vestavia Hills Methodist Church, 2061 Kentucky Ave., Vestavia Hills, AL 35216.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 66 years, Carol Ann Klimpt McKibben, and by his three children, Michael (Laura) of Vestavia Hills, Alabama; Sharon (Joe) of Overland Park, Kansas; and Keith (Julie) of Topeka, Kansas. He also is survived by his twin brother, Eugene Gladden McKibben (Sara) of St. Charles, Missouri, and five grandchildren, Sarah Montana, Emily McGrath, Elaina Mahoney, Mitchell Latimer, and Max McKibben. He is preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Bebe McKibben of Joplin, Missouri, and brothers Jack and David McKibben, also of Joplin. He is also survived by his beloved caregivers during his final year on this Earth: Lisa Hardrick and Kesha Williams and the Family Private Care team.
Jerry and Gene grew up as noted athletes in the Joplin area, with Jerry's best sport being baseball. He was offered a contract by the Pittsburgh Pirates at age 15, and also later by the New York Yankees. Instead, he and Gene opted to become the first of their family to attend and graduate from college, attending what is now Pittsburg (Kansas) State University, with a degree in business administration.
Marrying Carol upon graduation, Jerry worked for International Paper Company until his retirement, which included living in: Joplin twice; Mobile, AL twice; Wiggins, MS; Camden, AR; Kansas City, MO; and Greensboro, NC. Jerry did at IP what is almost impossible in modern day business, ascending from a start as a bookkeeper in Joplin to serve as a chief financial officer of the building products division and, ultimately, to lead auditor for affiliate Dillard Paper Co.
Jerry and Carol retired after his 60th birthday and moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas, where they lived for 27 years before relocating to Brookdale Senior Living in Birmingham.
Jerry served in numerous community services and loved recreational activities. He was a Fourth-Degree member of the Knights of Columbus during his 25 years at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Bella Vista. He also was a member of numerous community charitable organizations such as Rotary and Lion's Club in cities where he lived. He taught himself to play golf at age 37; in retirement, he became an avid golfer, who shot his age more times than not as he played into his 80's. He and Carol enjoyed bridge for decades with close friends. Jerry also became a 10K runner while in Kansas City, participating in numerous race events there and in Birmingham.
A memorial service to celebrate Jerry's life will be held Tuesday, December 30, 2025, with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and service to follow at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Vestavia Hills Methodist Church, 2061 Kentucky Ave., Vestavia Hills, AL 35216.
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