Ira “Ike” Kneeland Hibbett Sr. a beloved and highly regarded local entrepreneur and business man, passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016 in Montgomery, Alabama following a brief illness. Ike is survived by his wife of 54 years, Barbara Ann Absher Hibbett, brother James Truman Hibbett; three children Leigh Ann Esdale, Whitney Trotman of Montgomery, Alabama and Kneeland Hibbett, Jr. of Florence, Alabama; seven grandchildren Whitney Angelyn Esdale, Robert Graham Esdale III, Ellen Rogers Trotman, Barbara Ann Trotman, Charlie Hibbett Trotman, Hannah Homan Hibbett, Ira Kneeland Hibbett III.
Ike was born in Florence, Alabama on February 9, 1931, to the late Annie Lee Lester Hibbett and Rufus Gleason Hibbett Sr. He was preceded in death by his stepmother, Imogene Longshore Hibbett, brothers, Lester Lee Hibbett, Rufus Gleason, Jr., Kenneth Barry Hibbett, Eugene Prosser Hibbett, and George Robert Hibbett, Sr. He was a graduate of Coffee High School and attended Florence State Teachers College.
Ike was President/Owner of Hibbett Sporting Goods until his retirement in 1980. He was a long time member of the Florence Rotary Club and served on many boards including YMCA and River Hill School where he served as Treasurer. He was Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Florence Housing Authority, President of the Chamber of Commerce, President of the Saddle and Spur Club, President of the Alabama Sporting Goods Association and State Vice President of the Jay Cees.
Ike was passionate about the Shoals and devoted many years to historical preservation efforts. He attended Sherrod Avenue Church of Christ and was a man of faith, loving husband, father and grandfather.
The family will receive visitors from 9:00 am to 10:00 am on Thursday March 31, 2016 at Greenview Memorial Funeral Home. There will be a private burial immediately following officiated by Kenny Barfield.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be sent to The American Heart Association.
