Obituary: Jesse J. Kibbee

Jesse J. Kibbee, 79, passed away on Jan. 5, 2020 with his loving wife, Dixie by his side.

Services to be announced in the spring.  His cremation has been entrusted to Croxford Funeral Home

Born March 13, 1940 to parents Jesse Kibbee and Vivian M. Brown in Havre, Mont., Jesse spent the first year of his life there, before the family moved to Valier in 1941. After graduating from Valier High School in 1958 he attended Northern Montana College in Havre and Western Montana College in Dillon.

Jess joined the U.S. Army, serving proudly from 1963 to 1965. He met the love of his life, Dixie Kind, while living in Sand Coulee, Mont.  They married on June 3, 1967 in Great Falls and together enjoyed 52 years of marriage.

Jesse will forever be remembered as an educator and mentor. He taught and instructed many in his years with the Centerville school system. He was honored to recieve the Dufresne Foundation Outstanding Educator Award in 1986 and 2001. Teaching shop classes, coaching T-ball and little league baseball, sometimes serving as the umpire.  He played catcher for his fast-pitch baseball team while serving in the Army, as well. 

Jess was an avid Green Bay Packers fan. He will always be remembered saying "It's such a pretty day, today." And his rendition of "On the Road Again" will forever ring in the ears of anyone who played girls basketball in Centerville during the years they had no gym. An icon in the area, the new shop at Centerville High School was dedicated in his name in 2001.

Jesse is survived by his wife, Dixie of Lincoln; his sons, Brad of Freemont, Calif. and Jason (Karin) of Helena; his sister, Betty Olson of Valier; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Jess and Vivian; his brother, Frank and sister, Paddy.

In lieu of flowers the family has suggested donations to the Lincoln Ambulance, the Centerville Athletic Fund, and/or the Lincoln Senior Center. Condolences may be shared with the family at http://www.croxfordfuneralhome.com.