Michael Allyn Tibbets

Michael Allyn Tibbets

Michael Allyn Tibbets, 73, of Cordell, Oklahoma, was born December 23, 1952, in Lubbock, Texas, to Willard and Joy (McClintock) Tibbets. He passed away Friday, August 21, 2026, at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City, with his loving wife, Gail, by his side.

Michael was raised in Bailey County, Texas, near Muleshoe, in the Texas Panhandle. His family owned and operated several cotton gins throughout the Panhandle, and Michael grew up working alongside his family in the gins. Those early years taught him the value of hard work and gave him a firsthand understanding of agriculture and the people who made their living from the land. That connection to farmers, ranchers, livestock, and the land would remain an important part of Michael’s life.

He graduated from Muleshoe High School in 1971 and continued his education at North Texas State University, now known as the University of North Texas, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He later earned his master’s degree from Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico.

A lifelong student of history and politics, Michael’s studies focused on Political Science and History, with a particular interest in World War I, World War II, and Eastern European history. His knowledge and passion led him into education, and he spent more than 20 years as a college professor, teaching at several institutions, including South Plains College in Levelland, Texas, as well as colleges in Clarendon and Lubbock.

After more than two decades in the classroom, Michael retired from teaching and began a new chapter that allowed him to spend more time doing what he loved—ranching and working with fellow landowners. He became a landman in the renewable energy industry, working and visiting with landowners, many of whom were farmers and ranchers much like himself. Michael was especially well suited for this work. Having been raised in an agricultural family and being a rancher himself, he understood the people he sat across the table from. He earned their trust by being straightforward and honest with them. His word meant something, and he treated people the way he wanted to be treated.

Ranching was much more than a profession for Michael; it was one of his greatest passions. He loved working his cattle and enjoyed the everyday challenges and rewards that came with caring for the land and livestock. He also raised Rottweilers through the years and had a special appreciation for the breed. Michael was a member of the Texas Cattlemen’s Association.

Michael married the love of his life, Gail (Spradlin) Tibbets, on July 23, 2024, in Carter, Oklahoma. Their time together was deeply cherished, and Gail remained faithfully by his side through his final days.

Michael possessed a sharp, thoughtful, and inquisitive mind. He was a member of MENSA and never lost his desire to learn, study, and think things through. One of his more unique interests was playing detailed paper-based war strategy games. These were certainly not games that could be finished in an evening or even a weekend. A single game could be so involved that they might only begin a new one about once a year. Michael carefully studied each situation and thought through his strategy before making his next move. It was an interest perfectly suited to a man who loved history, strategy, and a good intellectual challenge.

Through the years, Michael also had Tibbets Gun Works, which was more of an enjoyable gun-show venture for him than a traditional gunsmithing business. He enjoyed attending shows, visiting with people, and selling ammunition and old guns. It was another interest that gave Michael an opportunity to spend time around things he enjoyed and people who shared those interests.

Most importantly, Michael was a man of faith. He accepted Jesus Christ as a teenager, and his faith was not something he simply talked about—it was something he lived. Michael was a member of the Methodist Church, and throughout his life he did his best to “walk the walk,” allowing his Christian faith, honesty, and the way he treated others to speak for him.

Whether he was working in his family’s cotton gins as a young man, standing in a classroom sharing his knowledge, visiting across a table with a farmer or rancher, working his cattle, studying history, attending a gun show, or carefully considering his next move in a strategy game, Michael approached life thoughtfully and deliberately. He appreciated the simple things as well, including a good cup of coffee, and for those who knew him well, there was no question about his favorite color—it was blue. Michael was intelligent and knowledgeable, but he was also a man who understood the value of honesty, faith, hard work, and treating people right.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Joy Tibbets, and his brother, Hal Tibbets.

He is survived by his wife, Gail Tibbets, of the home; his stepchildren, Chism Holt and Quitman Earnest of Retrop, Oklahoma, Jaden and Kimberly Palmer, of Cordell, Tanner Holt and his wife, Alicia, of Cordell, and Colten Holt and his wife, Katie, of Cordell; his nieces and nephews, Cassidy Tibbets and his wife, Barbara, of New York, Kelly Craddock of Oregon, and  Heath Patterson of San Angelo, Texas; his brother-in-law, Dale Spradlin and his wife, Rene, of Buffalo, Oklahoma; his sister-in-law, Dalene Schmidt and her husband, Les, of Dill City; 15 grandchildren as well as other extended family members and many friends.

The family would like to extend a special and heartfelt thank you to the girls of Shepherd Home Health—Allie, Callie, Halle, Courtney, and Amy—for the kindness, care, and compassion they showed Michael and his family. The family would also like to recognize and thank Lori, who was a special source of help and support throughout Michael’s journey. Their care and kindness will always be remembered and deeply appreciated.

A private burial will take place at Strickland Cemetery. A Celebration of Life honoring Michael will be scheduled at a later date and announced when arrangements are complete.

Services are under the direction of Lee Hometown Funeral Home.