Kenneth Edward “Ken” Tibbets, 72, of Rufus, a former longtime Baker City resident, died June 8, 2009, at his home.
At his request, there will be no service.
Ken, known as “Sonny” to his family, was born July 25, 1936, at The Dalles to Kenneth and Luetta Morast Tibbets. He attended The Dalles schools until joining the U.S. Marine Corps in 1953.
He served in the Marines from 1953 to 1962 and was a Korean War veteran. He was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps Rifle and Pistol Team. He spent the majority of his years working in the construction industry and retired from Oregon Portland Cement in 1981.
Ken was an avid golfer and loved hunting, fishing, working in the garden and his pets. His most recent passion was flying his powered parachute around the Columbia Gorge area. He spent the majority of his adult years living at Baker City. He had lived at Rufus for the past seven years.
Survivors include his wife, Marjorie Hensley Tibbets of Rufus; children, Tammie Lee and her husband, Dana, of Salem, Kenneth Tibbets of Surprise, Ariz., and Vickie Reynolds and husband, Mark, of Lafayette; stepchildren, Tom Gilbert of Baker City, Bob Gilbert of Washougal, Wash., Don Gilbert of Boardman, Steve Haney of Echo and Sandra Vanderpool of Baker City; grandchildren, Justin Crabill, Danielle Lee, Sean Lee and Abigail Tibbets; brothers, Ernest Tibbets and Larry Tibbets; sisters, Mary Pirkey and Joanne Buxton; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Norma Sonnabend, Maxine DeJarnatt and Judy Quint.
The family expressed its gratitude and appreciation to Hospice of the Gorge, Celilo Center for Cancer Care, Evergreen Health Care Center, Dr. Belza of Bend, Dr. Morris and Dr. Fu of The Dalles.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Oregon Humane Society.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, June 12, 2009
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor
