James Allen Kibbey

As a youth he spent much of his life with his beloved Aunt Helen and Uncle Nick Burik. He helped as a young child in Burik & Savko Lumber and later the Columbus Meat Packing. In high school he worked for Crawford Furniture in Jamestown, NY and Harold Fullum and other stations in Corry. He graduated from Corry Area High School in 1981. As a senior he travelled to Spain. In 1981 he also drove across the country and back with a couple of friends. He then moved to Dayton, OH and attended Cedarville Christian College and Wright State University. While there, his back yard bordered Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and he was employed in lawn care on Post.

On February 18, 1985, Jimmy was involved in an auto accident which resulted in a traumatic injury to his spinal cord. From that point on he was confined to his chair. This, however, did not slow him down. After his recovery he returned to PA and continued his education. He went through the Ministry Apprenticeship Program at Miracle Mountain, Spring Creek, PA. He went on to graduate from Edinboro University in Edinboro, PA with a BS in Mathematics. While at Edinboro he also participated in an internship program at Gallaudet University, Washington, DC and worked at Goddard Space Center, Greenbelt, MD. While at Edinboro he participated with the wheelchair football and basketball teams. He held 5th place in the Paralympics in Archery. He loved to play chess and pool. His favorite saying when trying to teach a pool shot was, “it’s just geometry.” He loved languages and practiced learning Russian, Spanish and American Sign Language. He was a lifelong learner.

In 1998 he moved to Baltimore to teach at a private Christian school and coach the girls basketball team. While there he also worked for a wrecker company as a dispatcher and the Baltimore Sun Times. His favorite job in Baltimore was working at a bookstore. In 2001 he moved to Knightdale, NC and was employed by Barnes and Noble.

He was preceded in by his father Charles Allen Kibbey June 1973, twin John Charles Kibbey December 1987, mother Roxcy Jane Adams King November 1994. Paternal grandparents Chet and Velma Kibbey, maternal grandparents Forest and Hazel Adams and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He is survived by his longtime roommate and nephew Bradley Alexander. Sister Judith (Larry) Little Pittsfield, PA her children Jessica Hickey Waterford, PA, Casey (Matt) Fisher Summerville SC, sister Terri (Reed) Alexander, Knightdale, her children Jamie Porter Knightdale, Michelle (J.R.) Richardson, Archers Lodge, NC, Tisha Baker, Knightdale, NC and sister Pam (Jeff) English, Russell, PA and her children Matthew English New Castle, PA and Dr. Rachel (Teddy) Turfitt, Pittsburgh, PA and an Uncle Norm (Melanie) Kibbey. Grand Valley, PA. Grand nieces and nephews Ian Hickey & Lyra Santanello, Lillyana Little and Abella Fisher, Sarah & Megan Richardson, Xander and Gracie White, Keenan Sumner, Everleigh Baker, Vega English, Margot Turfitt, and a special cousin Helen Marie “Charlie” Cook, Troutman, NC. He is also survived by many cousins, friends, and his church family.

Celebration of Life and memorial service will be held Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church, 302 W Pleasant St., Corry, PA with Ralph Magill officiating. Lunch to follow. Interment will be at the family’s convenience in Wrightsville Cemetery, Route 958, Pittsfield, PA.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 302 W Pleasant St., Corry, PA 16407, Miracle Mountain Ranch, 101 Rodeo Dr., Spring Creek, PA 16436, or Faith Baptist Church, 2728 Marks Creek Rd., Knightdale, NC.