Grover C. Mckibben, Jr.

GROVER McKIBBEN, JR. Mr. Grover McKibben, Jr., age 86, of Jackson died Tuesday, September 15, 2009,at Spalding Regional Medical Center. Mr. McKibben was born in Butts County on March 19, 1923 to the late Grover and Ethel Hill McKibben. His wife of 60 years, Miriam Colwell McKibben, preceded him in death in March, 2007. He graduated from Griffin High School and was a decorated World War II veteran having served in the Army's 385th AAA Battalion. He participated in the following battles and campaigns: Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, Central Europe and the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, Mr. McKibben purchased a farm on Bucksnort Road in Butts County and, for the rest of his life, proudly referred to himself as a farmer. In 1954, he joined Jim Phinazee in forming a highway construction company, Phinazee & McKibben Grassing, Inc., which he continued to operate until his retirement. He is survived by his children, Danny and Emily Blue of Monticello, and Don and Janet McKibben of Salem, Va.; and by his grandchildren, Adam Blue of Atlanta, Brandon and Jamie McKibben, Alex McKibben of Salem, Va., and Kelly McKibben of Sterling, Va. Graveside services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Fellowship Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Butts County, where six generations of his family are buried. Dr. Layne Jenkins will officiate. Mr. McKibben frequently spoke of the kindnesses shown soldiers during World War II by the Salvation Army. With this in mind, his family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Salvation Army or to a charity of choice. Claude A. McKibben and Sons Funeral Home of Hogansville is in charge of arrangements. Services: 2:00 p.m., Thursday, September 17th, at the graveside in Fellowship Presbyterian Church Cemetery Interment: Fellowship Presbyterian Church Cemetery near Jackson