Jib Grammel

Jib Mattson Grammel was born March 8, 1995 in Kalamazoo, MI to parents Rick and Lynn Grammel. He attended Mattawan schools where his love of sports lead to his participation in baseball, track, basketball, golf, and snowboarding. Jib loved MSU football and basketball games and always enjoyed attending both.

After graduating from Mattawan high school, Jib attended Western Michigan University a year before deciding to work the ski season at Angel Fire resort in New Mexico. From that first seasonal job in New Mexico, Jib developed a love for travel, adventure, and resort life that took him to Lake Champlain in Vermont, Grand Targhee resort in Wyoming, Fontana Resort in North Carolina, Death Valley, California, and finally to Kirkwood and Heavenly resorts in Lake Tahoe, California. Jib fell in love with Lake Tahoe for the beautiful hiking, snowboarding, and lake. Jib always called Lake Tahoe his “happy place” and as much as he loved to come back to Michigan to see his family and friends, after a few weeks he was always ready to get back to Tahoe. Jib was known to get up at 6:00 a.m. to go snowboarding before work and be the first to board on the fresh snow.

Another reason Jib loved working at resorts was meeting new people from all walks of life. He made friends quickly because of his generous heart and empathy for other and kept in touch with many of the friends and employers he met through the years. Jib had a huge smile and infectious laugh and was the king of funny one-liners. He could lighten the mood in any situation with his humorous quick wit. No one loved a good prank more than Jib.

Because of his carefree personality, many people did not know that Jib suffered from anxiety and depression most of his adult life. His mental health struggles were not something he spoke about except to his closest family members. Jibs struggle became overwhelming for him and he then took his life on May 25 in Lake Tahoe.

Jib is survived by his parents, Rick and Lynn Grammel, Kalamazoo; his sister and brother in law, Jena and Jake Toth, Vicksburg; and his nephew, Lawson Toth. He is also survived by his grandmother, Christine Orlowe, Brighton; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Jib was preceded in death by his grandparents Dick and Shirley Grammel, and Thomas Orlowe.

A Life Story Service will be held Friday, August 2 at 11 AM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. A reception will follow in the Life Story Center where food, drinks, and stories will be shared. Celebrate Jib’s life online by sharing favorite stories or photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in honor of Jib to The Face It Foundation, which supports men’s mental health.

"No matter where life takes me, find me with a smile." ~ Mac Miller