James R Thibault

died peacefully among family on December 22, 2022

Jim was born on May 28, 1963 to James and Jacqueline (Bergeron) Thibault of St. Albans, Vt. He was the fifth of seven children. Jim graduated from So. Burlington High School in 1981 and Champlain College in 1983. He went on to attend the University of California at Santa Cruz and the University of New Mexico where he graduated in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. Jim met and married his beloved wife, Betsy Franks of Pittsfield, MA. They married in 1992 in Lake Tahoe, California. After a couple of years, they moved to New Mexico where Jim worked as a field biologist for the University of New Mexico. In this role, Jim studied the hydrology of the Rio Grande Basin in New Mexico where he saw firsthand the effects of climate change on ecosystems. Jim wrote or co authored several scientific papers on this subject while working for UNM. He was an environmentalist.

Jim and Betsy shared 26 years of happiness traveling, visiting microbreweries and museums across the country, hiking, and enjoying their pet cats. In 2018, Betsy became ill with cancer. Jim retired and with the help of Betsy’s sister, Amy, took care of Betsy until she passed away in December of 2019. In 2022, he was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). He deteriorated rapidly and passed away peacefully with family by his side.

Jim loved attending concerts and followed several rock bands. He and Betsy shared this interest. Another hobby was drawing political cartoons. He recently completed a continuing education class through the University of New Mexico to hone his skills.

Jim loved his home in Albuquerque. He and Betsy enjoyed entertaining, cooking, and grilling in their yard overlooking the Sandia mountains. Jim wanted his ashes spread along with Betsy’s in two of their favorite locations, the mountains of New Mexico and Monterey Bay, CA. A service for family will take place in Venice, FL.

Jim is survived by his parents, James and Jacqueline Thibault of Venice, FL, his sister Joann Leachman (husband Bruce) of Venice, FL, his sister Nancy McLaughlin (husband Rick) of Centerville, MA, his sister Katie Wagner of Venice, FL, his brother David Thibault (wife Brenda) of Venice, FL, his sister Carolyn Wheel (husband Kevin) of Venice, FL, his sister Jennifer Momplaisir (husband George) of Stamford, CT. He is also survived by his sibling’s 16 children, Jim’s nieces and nephews. Jim’s surviving inlaws include Barbara & John Chickosky of Acton, MA, Amy Franks of Albuquerque, NM, Sarah Franks of Tacoma, WA, Rob & Donna Franks of Santa Cruz, CA, and their children and grandchildren. Jim is also survived by many friends including his best friend of 52 years, Joel Kutner of Chapel Hill, NC.

For those wishing to celebrate his life, please consider making a donation to The Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins in Maryland, an organization dedicated solely to finding a cure for ALS. Donations can be mailed to:

Robert Packard Center for ALS Research

855 N. Wolfe Street, 2nd floor

Room 227

Baltimore, MD 21205

Or on-line at: https://secure.jhu.edu/form/packals