ASHLAND James Howard Leibee, 74, of Ashland, Ky., died Monday, April 26, 2010, in Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland. He was born April 27, 1935, in Ashland, to the late William McKinley and Serena Ellen Easterling Leibee. His wife, Frances Oney Leibee, survives.
He was of the Baptist Faith, served in the National Guard, was on a bowling league and loved golf and pitching horse shoes. He retired from AK Steel Corp. after 43 years of service as an engineer and crane operator.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by sons Jonathan Wade Leibee of Ashland, James H. Leibee Jr. and wife Tammy of Columbus, Ohio, and Kenneth R. Leibee and wife Gail of Wurtland, Ky.; daughters Denise Easterling and husband Rick of Ironton, Tammy Walker and husband Jerry of Coal Grove, Ohio, and Carla Brown and husband David of Cannonsburg; stepsons Harold Stone Jr. and wife Harweda of Catlettsburg and Dennis Stone and wife Sharon of Westwood; stepdaughters Sue Tackett and husband Stanley of Westwood, Francine Thomas of Cannonsburg and Angela Patton and husband Bert Jr. of Rush; brothers Bob Leibee and wife Hazel of Trace and Ted Leibee and wife Arlene of Westwood; sisters Pauline Blevins and husband Willie of Louisa, Linda Davis and husband Harold of Brunswick, Ohio, and Judy Brown and husband Fred of Lexington, Ky.; 32 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death, in addition to his parents, by a son, William Leibee; a stepson, James V. Stone; a brother, Fred Leibee; sisters Mildred Lykins, Carolyn Sexton, Betty Hutchinson and Janice Mansfield; and in 2002, Lena Oney Leibee, his wife and the mother of Jon, Kenny, Jimmy and Carla. He was also survived by Laverne Perry Cripple of Ironton, Ohio, his former wife and the mother of Bill, Denise and Tammy.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 29, 2010, at Steen Funeral Home-13th Street Chapel in Ashland by Pastor Mike Cox and Pastor Lloyd Bailey. Burial will be in Rose Hill Burial Park.
Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today, April 28, 2010, at the funeral home chapel.
Contributions may be sent to Community Hospice, 1538 Central Ave., Ashland, KY 41101 or Pathways, 201 22nd St., Ashland, KY 41101.
Condolences may be sent to steenfuneralhomes.com.
