Jack R Tibbitts

Jack R. Tibbitts

Jack was born on February 25, 1935, to ecstatic parents.  Pop finally had his son whom he nicknamed “Mickey Finn.” The relationship was the perfect classroom for Jack to begin learning skills from his Pop that would eventually make him the unique “Jack of All Trades.”  As he played in Pop’s coal yard, he began to acquire one of his most endearing traits, embracing people.  As the little boy, he made friends with men who promoted him to engineer, the driver of the mighty engine.  He lived a dream as he made the whistle blow on his trip over the tracks. After spending three years as an outstanding first chair trombonist in the marching band, Jack proudly graduated in the last senior class from Schaaf. He enrolled at Ohio University as an education major before entering the U.S. Army. After serving four years, he wanted to become a “Lifer.” Rather than re-up in the land based military, he chose the U.S. Navy to experience blue waters and the world. He served proudly as a Sea Bee, a U.S. Navy branch affiliated with the Marines. Here he learned how to operate heavy duty earth-moving equipment used to clear runways for planes. These skills that would help him when he was discharged; he joined his father’s construction company. Using these practiced skills, he began his life as “Jack of All Trades.” Early on, Jack realized he could learn easily by observing tradesmen plying their craft.  Trusting his memory, he applied whatever he had observed as he worked on his own projects.  Profiting from his mistakes, he honed his skills and became the man who could do all, from inserting tiny screws into hidden holes to moving weighty material.  However, he did warn that “the impossible takes a little longer.”  Nonetheless, because Jack loved challenges, he rose to those occasions with new energies and ideas for solutions. During his life, Jack had mastered skills of two of the most needed trades today, electric and plumbing.  Though he wired to fulfill basic necessities, when the job was done, there was a special something that signified Jack had been thinking as he worked.  One of these was to use wiring buried behind the wall to connect one switch plate at the doorway to lamps plugged in around the room.  Jack the plumber,   soldered copper, glued plastic pipe and taped black pipe for gas heaters. As he worked, it seemed as if he were creating a masterpiece: straight pipe lines, no dripping solder or oozing glue, and no excess tape on the black pipe.   His work with pipe led Jack to a whole new hobby: rain barrels. As Jack was already using eco-friendly fertilizer and no pesticides in the yard, he could see both the advantage of using less water from Lake Erie and ultimately, saving on the water bill.  He knew how to cut pipe, install rain diverters into the downspouts, couple barrels and install spigots for hoses. He was so elated when he began watering the yard and flower beds. However, his satisfaction did not last long as the yard is not flat. Thinking, he went back to his mental drawing board and Harbor Freight. Eventually, he altered a pump to meet his needs. His ideas for other alterations are still in his head. However, one is not. He saw another way to conserve water using the rain barrels.  To that end, he has plumbed a system of pipes to accommodate a hook up to rain barrels on the outside wall to supply flush water to at least one toilet. His twenty water holders could have been eyesores, but the landscaper continued using his skills to incorporate them into the landscaping he had been working on for decades.  Using stonework to compliment the land contours, he mentally designed the backyard patio. Using limestone timbers he sawed and chiseled to accommodate root structure and land imperfections. As he went, he created an unexpected jigsaw puzzle. Using his mastery of leverage to move heavy material, he “walked” anything that had two “legs” or edges.  In this manner, he moved the sandstone logs and set the rain barrels among the plants. Every part of the house has felt the touch of the “Jack of All Trades”.  He has painted, papered, tiled floors and walls, refinished floors, and stripped wood. He built a fireplace, built decks, replaced windows and door siding, removed old insulation, installing new insulation and new siding.   There is no room in the house where he didn’t enhance the appearance with his milled raw wood.  The rosettes and lines in his door casings are his signature pattern for our home.  As much as he enjoyed designing, he also repaired antique furniture.  No matter how broken, shattered, or what was missing, he was able to construct a replacement piece. All of this woodworking was finished with a loving and satisfying touch. As much as his trade work was done with love and a sense of fulfillment, Jack’s love for his family and friends, both new and old, was most important to him. Jack knew the most important part of his character was his love of people.  He was interested in everyone with whom he came in contact. No matter how short the amount of time spent, he came away with some tidbit about the person.  He was always willing to help others.  His circle of friends was treated like family and family was showered with unconditional love and a deep pride in their accomplishments. To record these milestones, Jack became the family chronicler of these moments: birthdays, Christmas, Easter, family events, swimming in the backyard pool, sporting events, concerts, plays, graduations and trips to his beloved Mackinac Island. He was always behind the camera taking the pictures. Jack always said he was lucky to have his family and friends, but it is we who are lucky to have had him in our lives. Jack, cherished husband of Betty (nee Drozdowski), slipped into eternal peace in her loving and caring arms. They shared 39 years of a magical marriage. Beloved Son of Fred and Loretta (Reimer) Tibbitts (both deceased). Beloved Son-In-Law of Stephen and Anna (Tamulewicz) Drozdowski (both deceased). Loving Dad to Kathie (Wirkus) Dolan, Mark (Jan Turczyk) Wirkus, and Matt (Judi Keppler) Wirkus. Proud Brother to Ruth (Tibbitts) Phillips (deceased). Proud and Loving Grandfather to Colleen (Dan) Hargis, Kelly Dolan, Alyssa (Andrew) Tarr, Bridgette (Will) Winkel, Steven (Jen-deceased) Wirkus, Shannon (Ryan) Molnar, Christopher Wirkus, Adam (Angela) Wirkus, Kevin Wirkus, and Emily Wirkus. Proud and Loving Great-Grandfather to Jacob Hargis and Lily Grace Winkel. Beloved Uncle to Greg (Denise) Phillips and Scott Phillips. Loved by many cousins, extended family and friends. SERVICES AND INTERENT PRIVATE.   ARRANGEMENTS BY DONALD A. FAULHABER FUNERAL HOME