Charles Clayton Bibbee
Charles Clayton Bibbee, 82, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2023, at Hubbard Hospice House after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Rossell Bibbee, his mother, Helen Swearengen Bibbee, and his sister, Rebecca Bibbee Deison, all of Clarksburg, W.V.
Chuck grew up in Clarksburg and, as a basketball standout at Washington Irving High School, was a freshman walk-on at West Virginia University men’s basketball team. He was an outstanding athlete who focused on tennis and was a four-year letterman at West Virginia University.
Chuck moved to Pittsburgh after graduating as a civil engineer, where he met his wife of 57 years, Pat. They moved to Charleston in 1969, where they began a life with many friends and experiences.
Chuck enjoyed many years at the Charleston Tennis Club. He was on the USTA national championship men’s tennis 4.0 team. He passed his love of the game to his son, Clay Bibbee, who also played on the West Virginia University men’s varsity tennis team. He was a consummate athlete, and after his tennis career was over, he became an avid golfer.
Chuck loved his dogs and was always considered a dog whisperer. When he was a child, the boy next door said all he wanted for Christmas was a dog who would love him as much as Chuck’s dog loved him. He and his daughter, Alison, shared this love of animals and nurtured rabbits, birds, and whatever animals wandered into their lives.
Chuck was president of Coal Fillers Inc. until his retirement in 2015. He loved his professional career, which took him all over the world.
His ten-year journey with Alzheimer’s was filled with loving family and trusted friends who were with him every step of the way. Chuck’s friends have reflected that he was the kindest and most honest man they have known.
Left to remember Chuck are his wife, Patricia Sill Bibbee, his daughter, Alison Judge Bibbee, both of Charleston, his son, Charles Clayton Bibbee Jr., and his three beloved grandchildren, Caroline Anne Bibbee, Charles Clayton Bibbee III, and Sarah Jane Alison Bibbee (all tennis players) of Madison, N.J.
The family would like to thank Lesia Warner, who helped manage Chuck’s care, and his Caregivers: Dawn, Becky, Pat, Connie, Maxine, Missy, Olga, and Karen.
The family would also like to give special thanks to Janice Hicks, Mick Givens, and Ted Priestly.
We also thank Cathy and Jared at Arthur B. Hodges Memory Care, Dr. Katherine Calloway, and the excellent staff at Hubbard Hospice House.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute for Alzheimer’s Research, c/o the WVU Foundation, Attention Tim Bolling, (PO Box 1650, Morgantown, WV 26507-1650) or online at https://rni.wvumedicine.org/ and St. Matthews Episcopal Church (35 Norwood Rd, Charleston, WV, 25314).
A Memorial Service to celebrate Chuck’s life will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, August 25, 2023, at St. Matthews Episcopal Church, Charleston, WV.
Memories of Chuck may be shared by visiting http://snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Snodgrass Funeral Home of South Charleston is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements.
Such a fine gentleman. I enjoyed playing doubles with him many times during my coaching career at the University of Charleston. He was always so supportive of my players and our program. Many prayers go out to his family and friends. Chuck was a special man.
Larry Cochren
Pat, I hope Chuck has found Greg and that they are doing business and playing golf together. Much love and sympathy.
Corleen
Pat, So sorry to hear of the passing of your husband, Chuck. I’ve lost two husbands and I know how difficult it can be. Please
know you are in my thoughts and prayers in the coming days. May God comfort you during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Pat Butner
Pat and Allison, I was so sorry to hear about your loss. You are all in my prayers.
Pat & Chuck were wonderful to me when his sister Becky & I visited them in Charleston. Mimi & Helen & Becky meant so much to me when I was having trouble & the whole family is super nice & I still think of them often tho its been nearly 35 years. Best of Luck, Pat. I still remember your white carpet downstairs.
Pat and Children, Laura’s cousin and Chuck’s tennis buddy sending love and sympathy from Bluefield…robby glenn
Chuck was the epitome of sportsmanship on the tennis court, where I played often with/against him, including as a team mate at the “Volvo” in 1990. It was always a joy to be with him on or off the court. Another big memory: After losing a tournament match against him at CTC, he invited his doubles partner, my partner, and me to dinner at his home — classic Chuck! My condolences to Pat, Clay, Alison, and the rest of Chuck’s wonderful family. I cherish my many memories of a deeply honorable gentleman and competitive friend.
Chuck was an inspiration in my life as a very kind and friendly man. Chuck hired me when I was in high-school (back in the 70’s) to help him with his part time surveying business. We spent several summers surveying property in the beautiful and remote hills of West Virginia. I will always think of Chuck fondly and so glad he was part of my life.
When we were four or five years old my family lived in Zanesville and the Bibbees in Clarksburg. Sometimes the two families gathered on Ogilvee (sp?) park in Wheeling where we would picnic and swim. Years later– in the’ Sixties–Chuck spent the summer with my family in Yorba Linda CA. My father got summer jobs at Hunts for both of us.
Chuck and I commuted together in my blue Ford. We began giving rides to a young lady who also worked At Hunts. I began noticing strange things–such as the radio set to a different station, or–was the car parked here this morning?
Eventually the truth came out: Chuck and the girl were going on dates during the lunch hour. Pretty amusing, unless I ponder why the girl chose Chuck snd not me.
Also that sumner Chuck and I played pingpong after dinner EVERY evening. We got to be pretty good–although Chuck won two thirds of the time. I continued playing intro my eighties, mostly winning.
Chuck was entertaining and fun to be around. Thank you, Chuck, for being my cousin
Chuck had big feet! This led most of us who competed with him on the tennis court to wonder how he could cover the court so well, but he did with alacrity. He was a great player, but more importantly, a great sportsman and great companion.
From the time Clay was 6 years old, Chuck spent quality time, regularly hitting on the tennis court and nurturing his son, who became a great tennis player himself and now a highly successful businessman. Similarly, Chuck loved Alison, like only a father can, and with his ever present dog at his side, fostered Alison’s love of animals. Chuck was a good parent. His marriage with Pat was wonderful to observe. He loved his wife.
In his last business venture, he led a company that pulverized coal into a highly specialized product used for manufacturing tires. With his engineering background Chuck designed and built an incredible plant that was highly successful. He then traveled the world to engage highly sophisticated companies in purchasing the product. He did well in business.
Chuck was a big guy, and I suppose, that is why he drove a station wagon that was about 20 feet long most of his career. Chuck always stayed fit and was strong as an ox. To me, he was a man’s man, a gentle giant, a good sport. Big feet meant he had big shoes. Big shoes that all of us should try to fill.