Claude Campbell Kibble

Obituary CLAUDE CAMPBELL KIBBLE Claude Campbell Kibble was born June 20, 1942 in Council Grove, KS, to Leroy and Phoebe (Campbell) Kibble. He was the middle child of a loving, hardworking family of three siblings. As a child, he attended Garrison Elementary School, and eventually graduated from Manual High School in Kansas City, MO. In Kansas City, he was known for his gregarious personality, which welcomed the opportunity to meet many people and form friendships. His personality was so magnetic that he captured the unwavering attention of his beautiful bride, Beverly Bryant. The Kibble household would host parties, where he would be life of the party. His family and friends meant a lot to him and his happiness. His close family and friends loving referred to him as Nippy. Claude had a fond appreciation and natural ability of the arts and photography. He exercised his passion by creating striking oil paintings that would grace the walls of his home. He completed courses at the Kansas City Art Institute where he enjoyed learning about the fine arts and photography. The passion of the arts continued throughout his life. Claude loved introducing his family to the renowned works of Gordon Parks and others. Claude was a true lover of jazz music, with Miles Davis being his favorite. When the spirit of jazz would hit his spirit, Claude would play the smooth sounds of Miles Davis throughout his home and all was well in the world. Claude also loved listening to live jazz music at Blue Room on 18th and Vine. He loved to get dressed up to include displaying his heavy artillery (striking jewelry), while mesmerizing the senses of patrons at the jazz club with his tantalizing masculine fragrances as they eagerly listened. Even with the love of jazz, painting and photography, Claude enjoyed competitive sports. He enjoyed traveling to Lawrence, Kansas to watch the KU Relays or watching the KC Chiefs on a quiet Sunday afternoon. Claude was very involved and committed to his children’s sports activities throughout their formative years. He was a coach for his son’s South Suburban Youth Football League, he attended many practices, band competitions, track meets, and countless performances. He was a fierce advocate for the fairness and treatment of athletic talent that was attempted to be stifled by social injustices. Throughout his life and even up to his death, Claude remained close and kept in contact with his friends and family. He final wish and joy came when he was able to spend time with his grandchildren right before his final transition home with the Lord. Claude was not one to verbally express great loving emotions, but he loved his family, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. There were many family and friend gatherings filled with music, conversation, dominos, games, and home-cooked food, and even a trip to Calgary, Canada to visit family members. From the time of his marriage until his death, Claude was a Christian, with the African-Methodist Episcopal Church as his church of choice. He attended Cain-Grant, Flipper Memorial and Blue Ridge Church of Christ. From the time of his marriage until he retired, Claude was a faithful employee at General Motors (GM). He strategically and economically understood how his commitment to GM and their benefits would align with his family goals. In Claude’s twilight years, he was loving cared for in his home by his wife and son, and daughter who provided assistance and support from out of state. Claude died peacefully at home on Friday night, July 19, 2019, at the age of 77. Survivors include his wife, Beverly Kibble of Kansas City, Missouri; DeAnthony Kibble of North Kansas City, Missouri and Alisha and Mark Schnakenberg of Dumfries, Virginia; grandchildren, Damian Gipson, Brennan Kibble, Delaney Kibble, and Sydnee Schnakenberg. Also surviving is sister Ina Pearson, Grand Prairie, Texas; Norma Reed of Kansas City, Missouri nieces, great nieces, and great nephews. Claude was proceeded in death by his parents, an infant sibling, and two nephews, Gerald McClain and Howard Pearson. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00a.m on Saturday, July 27, 2019 at Watkins Heritage Chapel. Visitation 9:00a.m. Interment Blue Ridge Lawn Cemetery. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Claude Campbell Kibble, please visit our floral store. Read More

Claude Campbell Kibble

June 20, 1942 - July 19, 2019