Kenneth Lybolt

Kenneth Craig Lybolt November 5, 1945 - October 17, 2025 Kenneth Craig Lybolt, 79, passed away unexpectedly on October 17, 2025 at Corewell Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan with his loved ones close by. Ken was a strong, free-spirited man who defied the odds and cheated death several times before, a somewhat complicated, risk-taking man with seemingly nine-lives, an upbeat, enthusiastic man we thought would out-live us all. He leaves behind a huge hole in the hearts of all his family and friends who knew him and loved him dearly. We find great peace believing we'll be reunited again someday, thankful for the recent good times spent together and comforted knowing he left us quickly without prolonged illness, pain or suffering. Ken Lybolt was born on November 5, 1945 in Midland, Michigan to Kenneth W. Lybolt and Berneice (Rearick) Lybolt. While attending Midland Senior High School (Class of 1964) he excelled on the varsity swim team and really enjoyed his summer job as a lifeguard. He owned a cool blue 1959 Austin Healey 100 and drove it year-round. Ken met the love of his life, Susan, aka Susie Q, in 1967 at Ferris State College. Susan says she fell in love with his car and then the driver. We think Ken was smitten at first sight. Opposites attract and they complimented each other beautifully. In 1969, he graduated from Ferris State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Advertising. Ken & Susie were also happily married in 1969 and moved to Oakland County, Mi. They enjoyed many fun years traveling together; tropical and ski destinations, music concerts, sailing trips and brave cross-county adventures in their VW bus. Ken worked at WWJ Television in the early 70's in the Traffic Department scheduling commercials. Later he was a successful Senior Account Executive in the insurance industry, until his retirement. If you knew him, you understood how much he loved and adored his sweet and beautiful wife, Susie, of 55 years. He was also very proud of his two children, Ashley and Tyler. Ken's only grandchild, Emry, brought him so much happiness and joy! They loved spending time together; shared a likeness and a very special bond. His second love was undoubtedly their 1964 Austin Healey 3000. It was technically Susan's car, but Ken was obsessed with working on it, taking it to car shows, and driving it everywhere and whenever possible. He would often tell people that Susan still had her first car AND her first husband. Ken always drove with the convertible top down, even in frigid 30 degree weather; wearing a hat and gloves, of course. Driving with Ken was an adventure, to say the least. The Woodward Dream Cruise was a HUGE deal in the Lybolt household. Ken was so proud having the "Healey" on front row display in the same location (Rockingham/13 Mile & Woodward) for the past 30 years. Oh, and don't forget the old Mattel Barbie car and antique picnic basket on the back! They were true event staples, a local legend of sorts. Ken's one-of-a-kind personality was BIG and he easily filled a room with his presence. It's safe to say he left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Ken enjoyed making people smile but his true gift was making them laugh. And he was really good at it! Always prepared with a new joke to tell, his clever quick-witted humor was unmatched and his favorite "heard it a million times" stories actually seemed to get better every time. It didn't matter where you were with Ken; he knew somebody, or somebody knew him. The "Joke-Man" was forever trying out his new funny material on random people; waitresses, doctors, grocery store clerks, neighbors, mail-carriers, strangers; you name it, he was not bashful and everyone he met offered a new opportunity for a laugh. In fact, it was literally impossible for Ken to be embarrassed, by ANY situation. This rare talent had been scientifically tested and proven over the years. However, those closest to him were not equally blessed with this bold ability; and could often be found silently cringing, holding their breath or hiding under a nearby table. Susan always joked that Ken needed a mute button! Ken was not a person you put on speaker phone and he wasn't known for being "politically correct"; but he was humble, kind and thoughtful, and was always lending a helpful hand to others. When duty called, he was always there. Whether you needed to borrow tools, a ride to the airport, help moving, or shoveling snow; he was your guy. He played a huge role in the daily care for his elderly in-laws and was the best son-in-law. Ken was their loyal companion, personal shopper, doctor appointment chauffeur, grass mower, and a constant source of smiles for many years. As many can attest to; he was also a supreme garage sale guru! Old vacuum cleaners and bicycles were his all-time favorite salvaged prizes. Trying to pass off random junk he picked (and repaired) to friends and family was his main objective, and it was difficult to say no to Ken. But we often did. Ken was a sharp dresser; he would wear the coolest British "sports car" caps, classic plaid shirts and Sperry Top-Sider shoes or penny loafers. His collection of unique hats and neckties was impressive. He was a record setting competitive swimmer in high school and college. He loved playing golf, sailing, skiing and doing crossword puzzles. He had a favorite chair, wallet, watch, coffee mug, and spoon. Ken spent a lot of time soaking up the sun; working in the yard, fixing things and reading. He had a sweet twinkle in his eyes when he was having fun and he gave the very best hugs. Some of our most favorite family memories were made "up-north" at the Lake Arrowhead cottage in Gaylord and at Boyne Mountain. We also had a lot of fun on Cass Lake, at Cedar Point and attending lots of sporting events. Ken enjoyed eating a big bowl of ice cream every night and was a huge fan of banana bread. Meatloaf, Chili-mac, pulled pork and pancakes were his specialty in the kitchen. BBQ ribs, cheeseburgers and fries were his restaurant favorites. Every time he went to the grocery store (Costco!), he picked up bananas, baked beans and cookies. He disliked T-shirts, shaving, long lines, traffic and waiting for literally anything. And Barry Manilow, he was not a fan. Sorry, Barry. Oh, and seatbelts, "newer" gasoline cans and instruction labels. Safety precautions were not really his thing. Some might not know this, but Ken was also an excellent dancer, and so fun to dance with too! He loved getting out on the dance floor whenever the right songs came on. We all have fond memories watching him "cut a rug" to Bob Segar's "Old Time Rock & Roll" or "Shout" by the Isley Brothers. Ken would often get into "trouble" as we'd like to say. Always coming up with some sort of non-conventional, off-the-wall idea or solution that typically led to the predictable, headshaking "Why in the heck did he do that?!?" results. Being an accident prone wild man definitely had its issues. The family would tease him that if his own 'Reality Show' ever took off, it should appropriately be named, "Oh, Ken!! He had a spiritual side too. Ken knew the bible well and enjoyed attending meetings at the Kingdom Hall. His faith and beliefs provided much strength and hope when he needed it most. Ken was preceded in death by his cherished parents, Kenneth W. Lybolt and Berneice (Rearick) Lybolt; beloved in-laws, Russell and Joanna (DelliColli) Follick; and dear brother-in law, Peter Gray. He is survived by his wife, Susan Lybolt; sister, Sondra Gray; children, Ashley (Steve) Wrobel and Tyler (Amy) Lybolt; his treasured grandson, Emry Zane; and many wonderful cousins, niece and nephew. We miss you so much Ken Lybolt aka, Kenny, Dad, Poppa Frog, Big Poppa! We know you'll be sending us special signs and messages from above to make us smile and laugh. With all our love…always and forever, until we met again. Please honor Ken by reading some jokes by his favorite comedians, Steven Wright and George Carlin. Watch some silly Mel Brooks movies, wash down some warm chocolate chip cookies with a root beer float, and build the biggest (smokiest) bonfire possible! The family is planning a celebration of his life for a later date. Ken wants us to cherish all the good times and happy memories shared together. He hated stuffy funerals and wanted a party versus a sad event with tears. Duggan's Irish Pub on Woodward was his favorite hang-out spot and his Austin Healey Club meeting location. Details will be shared at a later date.