James ”Jim” Raymond Bybee

James ”Jim” Raymond Bybee, 79, of Polk passed away on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

He was born on Dec. 9, 1946, in Polk, to Raymond Chester and Mildred Marie (Ankrom) Bybee. He grew up in Polk and graduated from Halfway High School in 1964. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1966, where he served his country as a Sea Bee in Vietnam until 1969, when he was honorably discharged to civilian life. He married Barbara Ann Coffin on Oct. 17, 1969, and they shared 56 wonderful years together. To this union a daughter, Julie Ann, was born. In addition, with this marriage, he gained a stepdaughter, Quincy Coovert. During the 1970s and 80s, he and Barb became foster parents and fostered a total of 22 children in their home. 

Upon his discharge from the Navy, he worked for a short time on a road construction crew for the state until he became a welder and fitter for Acro Trailer in Springfield. 

He is survived by his wife Barbara, of the home, his daughters, Julie (Jeff) Julien of Bolivar, and Quincy (Jeff) Coovert of Willard; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren; sisters Deanna (Danny) Noteware and Angela (Steve) Crites, both of Bolivar; sisters-in-law Judy Hood of Bolivar and Virginia Olson of Jackson, Tenn. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, his dear friend and brother-in-law, Lavern Hood, brother-in-law Vertis Olson, and nephew Vaughn Olson.