James Layne (Doc Jim) Lybyer, 58, a longtime resident and veterinarian of the Mountain Grove area, died suddenly at his home on Saturday, June 6, 2009. Jim was born in Springfield, Mo., the son of Albert “Al” Lee and Joan (Wilson) Lybyer.
Jim always considered Manes home, but graduated in 1968 from Justin F. Kimball High School in Dallas, Texas. He graduated from Texas A & M University with his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1973. Upon graduation, he joined the United States Air Force as an officer and was stationed at Blytheville, Ark., as the staff veterinarian. In 1975, he was honorably discharged from the Air Force and went to work for Tri-County Veterinary Service in Mountain Grove until 1979, when he started his own practice. After 18 years of owning his own practice in Mountain Grove, Jim sold the practice and planned to retire. However, he shortly missed his professional calling and began working at the Ozark Regional Stockyards and West Plains Veterinary Clinic, where he was currently working.
Jim married Ila Jean Lawrence in 1969 and to this union two daughters were born, Jennifer and Bethany. On May 2, 1981, he married Nancy (Ward) Franklin and she brought two more daughters, Tammy and Carrie, into the family. In 1991, Jim and Nancy added one more child to their family by adopting their granddaughter, Amy.
He was preceded in death by his father, Al Lybyer; and a 2-year-old brother, Johnny.
Left to mourn his passing are his loving wife Nancy; mother, Joan; daughters, Jennifer Jenkins of Marshfield, Bethany (and Eric) Bramwell of Pomona, Tammy (and James) Strunk of Springfield, Carrie (and Jim) Fessler and Amy Lybyer of Mountain Grove; a sister, Jeanne Knight of Dallas, Texas, and nephew Zachary Knight; and seven grandchildren, Megan and M.J. Jenkins, Nate and Jake Bramwell and Brittany, Aaron and Brandie Strunk.
Jim had a long history of community involvement throughout his entire life, starting with the Boy Scouts, where he achieved the level of Eagle Scout. He served as president of the Manes School Board for the past eight years; Board Member of the Missouri Special Olympics; member of the Executive Advisory Council for the Boy Scouts of America; President of the Mountain Grove High School FFA Alumni; member of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association; and was a member and past President of the Missouri Family Rodeo Association, American Family Rodeo Association, and Mountain Grove Saddle Club.
He was a very special husband, father, grandfather, son, uncle and friend to many. A huge void will be left in the many hearts he has touched.
The family will hold a celebration of life for Dr. Lybyer on his birthday June 15, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. at the Wilson farm, 10725 Hwy AF, Mtn. Grove, Mo. Please contact Evans Funeral Home for additional details. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.evansfh.com
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions to the Dr. J.L. Lybyer Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Community First National Bank in Mountain Grove and West Plains.
