Jimmy Herman Riebe

Jim H. Riebe

Jimmy Herman Riebe, 87, of Weatherford, Texas, passed away Monday, August 30, 2021. He was born 8 miles north of Strawn, Texas on the Dodson Prairie in western Palo Pinto County on May 8, 1934, to Albert, Sr. and Angelina Riebe. Jim was a member of Strawn High School Class of 1951.

On June 1, 1954, Jim married his life-long sweetheart, Kathryn Riebe. Throughout their 67-year marriage he loved and cared for Kathryn. Their love and devotion to one another was unquestionable and that love allowed them to build a family and a life they were always proud of.

After working in a leather tooling business for several years, Jim began working for State Farm Insurance Company in 1961 as Weatherford’s first field agent. After 16 successful years as an agent in Weatherford, he transferred to the management side of the company in 1977 in Lubbock, Texas. In 1991 Jim was offered the opportunity by State Farm to return to Weatherford to lead the Cross Timbers region agents. He finished his 37-year career with State Farm at the Fort Worth regional office leading the reorganization of all the North Texas agencies. Jim was known by his colleagues as a man of integrity and principal. His nickname in the company was “The Deacon” because of his principled, faith driven approach to his work life.

Jim’s faith was a driving force in his life after he surrendered his life to Christ. His children have fond recollections of how he led their family in following Christ their entire lives. Jim was ordained as a deacon at North Side Baptist Church, and later served as a deacon at Oakwood Baptist Church in Lubbock, and at First Baptist Church in Weatherford. He loved his Lord, and he loved his family. He was a great story-teller and a people person. Known for his service to others, at various times he served in the Kiwanis Club, the Lion’s club, and the Rotary club. From 1972 until 1977 Jim served on the Weatherford Independent School Board.

Having grown up on the family ranch in Strawn, Jim always enjoyed working the land and working with livestock. He believed in perpetuating the ranch his great-grandfather Ferdinand Riebe and grandfather H.W. Riebe began in May 1900.

Jim enjoyed golfing, traveling, fishing, sports, spending time with friends, helping people, but more than anything…time with his family. Many of the stories he shared with his family centered on the fun adventures of hunting, fishing, and hard work that was part of everyday life growing up in rural central Texas.

Jim’s last years were his crowning achievement as he took care of his sweetheart as they faced the challenges of growing older. He loved and cared for Kathryn in a way that gave his children a shining example of how to love selflessly.

Surviving Jim are his wife, Kathryn Riebe; son, Mark Riebe and wife, Debby; son, Clay Riebe and wife, Stacy; daughter, Kelly Barton and husband, Richard; granddaughter, Aarin Tyo and husband, Todd Tyo; granddaughter, Jessica Turner and husband, Ryan Turner; grandson, Zach Riebe and wife, Hannah; grandson, Caleb Riebe and wife, Laura; great-grandchildren, Addyson Turner, Austin Turner, Audrey Turner, Kolton Tyo, Karlee Tyo, Grace Riebe, and one due in November; he was also survived by sister-in-law, Shirley Riebe; cousin, Francis Sharp; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Albert, Sr. and Angelina Riebe, and his beloved brother, Albert Riebe, Jr.

Visitation will be held Thursday, September 2, 2021, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., at Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel, 913 N. Elm Street, Weatherford, Texas. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 3, 2021, at 1:00 p.m., at First Baptist Church, 222 W. Church Street, Weatherford, Texas. Interment will follow at 4:00 p.m., in Mt. Marion Cemetery, in Strawn, Texas.