Wayne Odell Bibby

Wayne Bibby (aka “Grandad”) passed away on Monday, January 2, 2024. He was 88 years old and was preceded in death by his wife of over 70 years, Cleta Bibby (aka “Gran Gran”), age 87, who passed away on April 24, 2023. After Cleta passed Wayne’s health began to deteriorate, and now they are together again in heaven, all the while laughing, cheering us on here on earth and drinking coffee together!

Grandad was born on March 14, 1935 in Hamlin, Texas, where he grew up but found his home in Dallas, Texas at the age of 16. He also resided in Duncanville, Texas, with his wife and two children, Russell Bibby and Angela Bibby Marrs. Grandad was preceded in death by his Aunt Obera and brother, Jerry. He is survived by his sisters, Paula Joyner and Carol Cameron; his brother Butch and his wife Kathe; a number of cousins, nieces and nephews; his son, Russell Bibby (commonly called “Bubba”) and his wife Karen (also known as “Gigi”), and daughter Angela (lovingly called “Angel”); granddaughter, Jamie Hoskins (fondly called “Baby Girl”) and her husband Isaac; his grandsons, Joel Fuller, Scott Fuller and his wife, Amanda Fuller; and his great grandsons, Kade Lawson, Jayse Richards, Ty Fuller, and Aydan Fuller and a very special friend of the family, Carol Davis.

Grandad was an amazing man, often working two or three jobs at one time to meet the needs of his children and grandchildren. He was a firefighter of 30 years with the Duncanville Fire Department and retired as Captain. He was also an arson investigator and taught at Texas A&M Fire Academy off and on for four years. Some of his other jobs included being a limousine driver, escorting many famous musicians, athletes and celebrities to ballgames and other major events. Grandad was so friendly and likable that he was requested over and over again to be their driver. They even went so far as taking him along with them to professional games and other venues.

His favorite sport was baseball and his favorite professional team was the Texas Rangers. He took his daughter, Angela, to Turnpike Stadium when the Rangers first came to Arlington. He and Russell rode bicycles together in a number of bike rides and races. Grandad also coached his daughter’s softball team and supported his great grandsons, one who excelled in Jiu jitsu and who recently took all four belts at a tournament in Duncanville; two who were baseball pitchers on elite and high school varsity teams; and one a musician who formed a band of three years and who now is following in his grandad and great grandad’s steps, continuing the tradition of firefighters in the family.

Wayne and his wife were members of the First United Methodist Church in Duncanville for many years and will be missed by so many church friends and a great number of lifelong friends he has made as a firefighter, a neighbor, as well as the people he has met along life’s way. Rest in peace, Wayne and Cleta. We love you both.