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Richard Alan “Rick” Tibbetts, 71, passed away on Dec. 6th, at his home in Panama City Beach, Florida.

Son of Darlin Dolores Milam Tibbetts and Franklin Delane Tibbetts, he was born on Sept. 24, 1953 in Atlanta, Ga.

He graduated from Walter F. George High School in 1971 and enrolled in Dekalb College where he earned a degree in Emergency Medicine.

He began working at a very young age, having jobs at Six Flags (when it first opened) and his family’s ice plant in Newnan, GA. Rick was in the first ever graduating Paramedic class in the state of Georgia. He worked for Grady Hospital for over 10 years in that role and, during that time, also worked for Clayton County Fire Department and co-owned Catfish Corner Restaurant with his father, Frank.

In 1982, Rick moved to LaGrange, GA where he bought Troup County EMS. For over 16 years, he diligently served the citizens of Troup County and provided top notch care for the West Georgia area. Additionally, in 1988, he opened EMS Consultants, Ltd. This company created one of the first billing software engines for ambulance services in the country, as well as provided consultation, education and reimbursement help for countless ambulance services across the south.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, as well as his firstborn daughter, Tina Marie Tibbetts.

He is survived by his wife, Sherry Gibson Tibbetts;  and his children: Brandie Leigh Tibbetts Kennedy, Richard Ryan Tibbetts (Alli) and Zachary Alan Tibbetts (Debby) as well as his step-children Hanley McClure Bradfield (Tito), Joanna Leigh Siegel (Mike) and Charles Hunter Bradfield; his grandchildren: Samantha Lee Colquitt, Haley Madison Jones, Richard Ryan Tibbetts II and Zachary Walker Tibbetts; his siblings: Steve Tibbetts (Denese), Cathy Tibbetts Pearce (John), Sherry Tibbetts (Greg Bailey), Phil Pittman (Julie) and George Swain; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews and his and Sherry’s entire community of friends and loved ones in Panama City Beach.

Rick spent his life as many things, a great paramedic, an avid scuba diver, a collector of American Flyer trains, a Parrot Head and a terrible karaoke singer. But what he mostly was, was a loving husband, father, brother, son, uncle, poppa and friend. He was always unapologetically himself and he always lived his life on his own terms.

A celebration of life will be held in the Chapel of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary in LaGrange, GA  on Monday, Dec. 16th at 11 A.M.

Those wishing to share a condolence or remembrance with the family may do so by visiting www.shlagrange.com.

Arrangements are by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road, LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 884-8636

“Mother, mother ocean, I have heard you call. Wanted to sail upon your waters, since I was three feet tall…”