James Dayton "JD" Tibbetts, ("Desert Fox"), age 88, was an avid gun owner with a lifelong love of motorcycles and cars.

JD was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to Arthur Charles Tibbetts and Eva Mae (Perham) Tibbetts. He was predeceased by his daughter Gayle (Ensor) Shirey (d. July 7, 2020) as well as all his siblings: Gaylord Tibbetts, Phyllis (Tibbetts) Engen, Arthur Tibbetts Jr, and Mary Lou (Tibbetts) Peterson. He is survived by his daughters Cheryl (Ensor) Capoocia and her husband Robert; Michelle (Tibbetts) Groves and her husband Robert; and Sharon (Tibbetts) Tenglin and her husband Kenneth. He is also survived by many grandchildren (Jayleen, Shane, Brittany, Brandon, Nick, Garrett, Domenic, Jessica, Isaiah, Tatiana, Torrey) and great grandchildren. He lived in many states including Wisconsin, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, California, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

JD served in the U.S. Air Force in Korea and the United States from 1952-1956 and then in the Air Force Reserves until his honorable discharge in 1960. Also in 1956 - 1960, he was an officer in the Utah Highway Patrol and Deputy Sheriff for the Weber County Utah Sheriff's Department where he was recognized as the youngest deputy to be promoted to the rank of Sargent. His 29-year career with Toyota starting in 1960 included many roles in service, product development, training, field programs, market studies, parts and fleet management in various regions across the U.S. JD won several awards and trips for his hard work at Toyota, and was justifiably proud of what he accomplished without a formal education. After retiring from Toyota in 1989, he worked various automotive-related jobs as well as local and long-haul truck driving including owning his own business, J.D. Tibbetts Transport, Inc.

JD participated in many on- and off-road motorcycle/vehicle competitions and enduros in the U.S. and Mexico. His daughters have fond memories of family camping trips, waterskiing and dirt biking with the expert.

Memorial donations may be made to the National Rifle Association at 

https://donate.nra.org/donate

The family is holding a private committal with military honors on July 15th at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, Massachusetts.