- Date Of Birth: June 16, 1936
- Date Of Death: September 27, 2022
- State: Texas
James “Jim” William Tibbetts Sr. was born June 16, 1936, to Chester Tibbetts and Virginia (Buck) Tibbetts of Fredonia, New York. He grew up with his sister Noreen and had many dogs while living there and acquired the nickname “Yankee”. Jim enlisted into the Army at the young age of 17, where he later became an MP and fought in the Korean War. While out at a skating rink he met the love of his life, Betty Ann Corley while stationed at Fort Hood. He was very persistent and had a charming whit about him and after many attempts to go on a date, she agreed, and they were soon married within a few months.
They were married from August 21, 1954, almost 65 years until her death in May of 2019. During their marriage, they had five children, Jimmy, Clifford, Louann, Dottie and Danny. They traveled all over the US and had many adventures that he would later share with all of his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. After completing his time in the Army, he pursued teaching at Killeen high as an Auto Body Mechanic teacher for several years. After a few years of teaching, he decided to open up Heights Paint & Body & Wrecker Service where two of his oldest son’s worked alongside him. Other than working in the shop, his hobbies included rebuilding trucks and cars where he would share this knowledge of his mechanic skills with his grandkids.
He also enjoyed fishing, bowling, watching football, Nascar and sharing life stories and advice. He enjoyed chatting with his two closest friends Roy Brown and Joe McNamara. His biggest joy was spreading the love of Christ, to any and every one that would listen. He loved music and could hold a tune of his own from old country music to Elvis which was our grandmother’s favorite. He was raised Catholic but ended with attending the Methodist church in Nolanville.
He is preceded in death by his mother Virginia Burch, his father Chester Tibbetts, his wife Betty Tibbetts, his sister Noreen Tibbetts and two of his sons, Danny & Jimmy Tibbetts. He is survived by his son Clifford Tibbetts, two daughters Lou Ann Moseley and Dottie Harr along with their spouses, 14 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and 5 great great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, great friends and his beloved dog Smokey.
