If you knew Jimmy, you knew there was nobody quite like him. He was truly one of a kind. He never met a stranger and, honestly, he never met a person he didn't like. Jimmy had a way of making people feel like they'd known him forever. He loved to visit, tell stories, laugh, and just enjoy being around people. He was the kind of person you didn't forget after meeting him.
Jimmy proudly served four years in the United States Navy and spent part of that time in Hawaii. After leaving the Navy, he came home and went to work for Atoms Energy, where he stayed for 40 years before retiring. Jimmy was a hard worker and took pride in what he did, but his family, friends, and the things he enjoyed were what really made him happy.
Jimmy married Frances Bilbrey, and together they raised three sons, Woody, Cale, and Robby. His family was one of the most important parts of his life. He was blessed with 13 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, and he loved being a dad, granddad, and great-granddad.
Jimmy also had a big love for dirt track racing. He enjoyed everything about it—the racing, the excitement, and especially the people. If there was a track to go to, there was a good chance Jimmy would be there. Racing gave him something he truly enjoyed, and he made many friendships and memories along the way.
Jimmy was just a good man. He was friendly, funny, caring, and always ready to talk to anybody. He didn't care if he'd known you for 50 years or had just met you five minutes ago—he'd make you feel welcome. That's the kind of person Jimmy was, and that's the part of him so many people will miss.
Jimmy leaves behind his sons, Woody, Cale, and Robby Bilbrey; 13 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Betty Gunnells, along with many other family members and friends who loved him dearly.
There will be a lot of things people will miss about Jimmy—his laugh, his stories, his personality, his love of racing, and just having him around. But most of all, people will miss the way he made everyone feel like family.
Jimmy lived his life his own way, loved his family, enjoyed his friends, served his country, worked hard, and never met a stranger.
He was one of a kind, and there will never be another Jimmy. He will be missed more than words can say.
