James "Jim" Michael Ibach, 74 of Olathe, KS passed Wed. July 20, 2016.
Jim was born March 31, 1942 in Arkansas City, KS to Paul and Ethel Ibach. He graduated from Arkansas City High School in 1960, before attending Arkansas City Junior College and William Jewell College in Kansas City, MO where he was awarded track and baseball scholarships. He married his high school sweetheart Carolyn Ann Hawkins July 25, 1964.
Jim loved sports, he grew up in American Legion ball, and played semi pro baseball out of Wichita. He had the opportunity to sign pro with the Phillies in 1963 but chose not to. He also enjoyed playing basketball and track when he was in high school, and he ran track at Arkansas City Junior College and played baseball at William Jewell.
He worked for Retail Credit in Wichita and Pratt, KS from 1964 to 1965, before being drafted in 1966. He served in the US Army from 1966-1968. In 1968 he went to work for State Farm Insurance and lived in Wichita, Chanute, and eventually Olathe in 1983. He retired in 2004 after 38 years.
In his retirement he enjoyed golf, hunting, fishing trips to Canada with friends, motorcycles, and time with his family. He loved watching his grandson Max excel in sports like baseball and track as he did.
He was preceded in death by his siblings Eleanor Wilton, Marjorie Alberding, Douglas Ibach and Byron Caskey.
He is survived by his wife of almost 52 years Carolyn of the home, their children Lorette Brunner and husband David of Olathe, KS and Leann Perry and husband Troy of Osawatomie, KS and his grandson Max Cameron Perry. He is also survived by his sister Paula Plush of Arkansas City, KS as well as several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to First Baptist Church of Olathe or Hospice House of Olathe Medical Center.