James Allen Kibler, Md

James Allen Kibler (Jim), 89, died peacefully on the morning of September 26, 2023, surrounded by his children. Jim was born on June 13, 1934, to Martha L. Hewatt Kibler and Paul E. Kibler in Clarkston, GA. His family relocated to Dudley, GA in 1941 and he attended Dudley High School, graduating in 1952 as valedictorian.

Jim entered Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) in 1952 on a basketball scholarship before transferring to the University of GA. In 1955, Jim was the first undergraduate student accepted as a first year medical student at the Medical College of GA in Augusta. While at the Medical College, Jim met his future-wife, Ethel Ann Cook, a nursing student, and they were married on August 29, 1957.

After completing his internship in Chattanooga, TN and serving in the Air Force at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX, Jim, Ethel Ann, and their four children, moved to Dublin in 1962 where Jim joined the Medical Center as a family physician. Jim went back to the Medical College of GA in 1967 and completed a residency in Psychiatry before returning to Dublin and rejoining the Medical Center, serving as a primary care physician and psychiatrist. Jim was a leader in the medical community, serving in multiple positions, including Chief of Staff at what is now Fairview Park Hospital.

Jim retired from the Medical Center in 1995 but continued to work for the Mental Health Clinic of Middle GA on a part-time basis until 2008. He served primarily children in Dublin and Eastman, GA and was always a passionate advocate for mental health services for children.

Jim will be remembered as a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He touched many people with his strong work ethic and unwavering support of his extended family. Jim fulfilled a lifelong dream when he was able to purchase the land his family had leased and farmed for most of his childhood. He, Ethel Ann and their four children moved to that property, called Turkey Briar Farm, in 1974.

Jim was an excellent athlete and an accomplished outdoorsman. In addition, Jim loved to dance and he and Ethel Ann were always a permanent fixture on the dance floor wherever they went. He and Ethel Ann also enjoyed travel and they had many special adventures together with friends and family. Welding became a hobby of Jim's post-retirement and he created many special pieces, including the gates at the entry to Turkey Briar Farm, as well as a beautiful 2-story cross and bell tower at Christ Episcopal Church.

Ethel Ann preceded Jim in death and he was never the same after her passing in September 2021. JIm is survived by his four children, Jan Kibler, Allen Kibler, his wife, Donna, Jeff Kibler, his wife, Mary, and John Kibler and his four grandchildren, Jamie Kibler, Lucas Kibler, Katherine Kibler and Anna Kibler.

A Celebration of Life for Jim will be held at a later date and, per his wishes, his ashes will be scattered at Turker Briar Farm. In lieu of flowers, and in support of Jim's strong belief in the importance of mental health, the family requests that donations be made to Emerald City Helping Others (ECHO), which provides mental health services for children and adults ( P. O. Box 16567 Dublin, GA 31040-6567). All donations made in memory of Jim will be targeted to programs for children and teens.

Stanley Funeral Home and Crematory/Dublin Chapel has charge of arrangements.