James ”Jim” Raymond Bybee, 79, of Polk, Missouri, went home to be with the Lord Thursday, July 23, 2026, at his home, surrounded by the ones he loved the most, his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Jim was born on December 9, 1946, in Polk, Missouri, to Raymond Chester and Mildred Marie (Ankrom) Bybee. He grew up in Polk, Missouri, and graduated from Halfway High School in 1964. Jim was saved at the age of 13 at New Home Missionary Baptist Church on a hot old August night (his words!), in 1960, after seeking the Lord for 2 years. 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 October 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, whom he loved as his very own. During the 1970s and 80s, Jim and Barb became foster parents and fostered a total of 22 children in their home, many of whom have contacted them over the years.

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, MO, where he built round transport tanks that hauled liquids and flammables. During his time at Acro he took a short hiatus and ran his own bulldozer. There are many ponds in Polk County that were built by Jim Bybee! After he sold his dozer, he returned to Acro Trailer and retired from there after 35+ years of loyal service. After retirement he loved to cut hay and work on his farm in Polk, a place that he loved dearly. He also loved to hunt and fish, but in his later years his most enjoyable hobby became hunting arrowheads of which he had an extensive collection.

In 1972, on the way to his beloved Grandpa Sherman Bybee’s funeral, the Lord called Jim to preach the gospel. After fighting the call to preach for a couple of years he surrendered to the call, and from that time on he unwaveringly preached the gospel all over Polk and surrounding counties and beyond, even into other states. Jim pastored Durnell Chapel for a short time before he became the first pastor at the Lighthouse Missionary Baptist Church in Bolivar, MO, when it was organized by his Uncle Woodford Bybee in 1981.He was a charter member and pastored there until 1999, and then served as assistant pastor until his death. Jim held innumerable revivals in many places where many lost souls found the Lord. Even through persecution and strife, he remained steadfast and unmovable in his service to God. He had a tremendous God-given revelation of the Bible, and a great love for lost souls. Of all his life work, this was the most important to him!

Jim is survived by his wife, Barbara, of the home, his daughters, Julie (Jeff) Julien of Bolivar, MO and Quincy (Jeff) Coovert of Willard, MO; grandchildren, Jenny (Damien) Eagon of Stockton, MO, Faith Francka of Bolivar, MO, Jay Julien of Bolivar, MO, Misty (Quent) Riedesel of Polk, MO, Kesha (Boone) Hinkle of Halfway, MO, and Ashley (Freddie) Brown of Houston, TX; great-grandchildren Landon, Tucker, and Holden Francka, Abby (Michael) Roberts, McKinley Riedesel, Finton, Dexter, and Lennox Hinkle, and Payton and Reign Brown; great-great-grandchildren Darby and Quade Roberts; sisters Deanna (Danny) Noteware and Angela (Steve) Crites, both of Bolivar, MO; sisters-in-law Judy Hood of Bolivar, MO and Virginia Olson of Jackson, TN, and several nieces and nephews.  He also cherished the friendships of Eddie Ben and Glada Gordon and Dale Wrenn.

Jim 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.