James Charles "Jim" Kibby

James Charles Kibby

Kingsley, Michigan

November 15, 2025

James "Jim" Charles Kibby, 70, passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 15, 2025. Jim was born to the late Charles J. Kibby and late Marilyn M. (Longcore) Schneider in Traverse City, Michigan.

Jim graduated from Frankfort High School before attending Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI. where he earned a bachelor's degree in forestry. In high school, Jim played the trombone, played baseball, ran track and was a star football and basketball player. Jim worked at Ross Decco in Frankfort before retiring on 12/31/2020. For many years Jim volunteered in Boy Scouts of America programs as well as working at Camp Greilick summer camps as a shooting instructor. Jim earned the highest honor of vigil in Order of the Arrow of Boy Scouts. Jim enjoyed hunting small game birds and deer as well as fishing, camping, rock hunting, woodcarving, gardening, baking, and making beautiful whirly-gigs. Jim and Tari enjoyed taking their camper to the Upper Peninsula and Yellowstone National Park and many other adventures.

Jim had serious health issues as a young father resulting in a stroke. After months of occupational and physical therapy, he relearned to walk, talk, and return to daily activity. With his determination and grit, Jim taught us all you "can't keep a good man down".

Jim is survived by his wife Tari (Laurell) Kibby, his sons Brian & Alexandra (Liakopoulos) Kibby of Grayslake, IL., Gary & Maisen (Rosteucher) Kibby of Algoma, WI.; stepmother Maribeth Kibby (St. Ignace, MI.), sister Mary & Mike Ryan of Holland, MI., brother Timothy & Vicki (Leitz) of Harrison, MI., sister Kerry Kibby of Grand Rapids, MI., sister Christine & David Ruszel of Lake Leelanau, MI.; mother-in-law Barbara (Dahlman) Bradford of Bellaire, MI.; brother-in-law Douglas & Maribeth (Soltis) of Texas, sister-in-law Cindy Laurell of Traverse City, MI, brother-in-law Michael Bradford of Jackson, MI. sister-in-law Kathleen Marks (Bradford) of Florida, step-sons Preston (Sara Thorpe) Kluth of Charlevoix, MI. and Jamie Pfau of Traverse City, MI.; 7 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his stepfather Robert Schneider and his father-in-law Edward Bradford.

Thank you to Cowell Family Cancer Center for their compassion and dedication. Many thanks to Munson Medical Center for their high level of care.

In lieu of flowers, please consider erecting a birdhouse or feeder, or planting a tree in memory of Jim.

Services will be conducted at 1 PM, Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, 200 N. Brownson Avenue, Kingsley, Michigan 49649. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 12:00 PM until time of services.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Traverse City Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com