GEORGE MICHAEL TIBBITTS

George Michael Tibbitts passed away on February 28, 2023 from complications of vascular dementia due to an earlier stroke. Mike was born on September 14, 1944 to Owen and Eugenia Tibbitts in Provo, UT. He was the third child of seven siblings: Gene, Sidney May, Mike, Tom, Bill, Patricia Hulet and Mary Anderson. He spent most of his childhood in Hemet, CA. He graduated from Hemet High School in 1962. Mike played basketball, ran track and received a science scholarship.

Mike pursued his higher education at Brigham Young University in Provo, UT. He took a two year break to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints in Central Germany. Upon his return, he earned a degree in Zoology. He met Joylene Anderson in September of 1968. They were married on September 6, 1969. After fifty three years of marriage, those two kids still loved each other to the end of Mike's life with the faith that their union will continue for eternity. Despite dementia, Mike remembered Joy to the very end, making sure to tell her he loved her "two times two" every time they spoke. Mike and Joy had seven children: Bill, Nancy, Amy, Kevin, Jared, Jerry and Jennie

Mike was drafted during the Vietnam War, completing Basic Combat Training at Fort Ord, CA and then working in a medical laboratory at 6th Army headquarters. After his army service, he enrolled at Georgetown Medical School in Washington, DC and graduated in 1975 in the top ten percent. He completed a family medicine residency at St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix, AZ.

Mike moved back to Hemet helped establish a private medical practice where he worked for 15 years. In 1993, he took a position teaching Family Medicine Residents Program which was affiliated with the University of South Dakota School of Medicine. Later he became the Dean of Graduate Medical Education at USD. He also became board certified in Geriatrics and served as the president of the South Dakota Association of Medical DIrectors for two terms. In 2012, he retired from medicine and education and moved back to Hemet, CA.

Mike was a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ. He was very active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and served in many capacities through his years, including time as a Bishop in Hemet, CA and as a Stake President in Sioux Falls, SD. He inspired many with his faith. He accepted people wherever he found them and offered sage advice, when asked. His life was filled with love, laughter, faith and accomplishments.