RAPID CITY- James Earl Leiby, 82, of Rapid City, died Thursday, February 13, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Jim, as he was known to his family and friends, was born January 7, 1932, in Wall, to Earl and Winifred Leiby. As a child he lived in Interior, but went to school in Philip, where his mother was a school teacher. He was active in track & field as well as football, and graduated from Philip High School in 1949. He attended college and played football at Chadron State College in Chadron, NE, and Black Hills State University in Spearfish. He served as an MP in the Army in the Korean War from 1952 to 1954, and was Honorably Discharged at the rank of Corporal. On February 28, 1955, he married Bonnie Dee Hillery in Pierre, after which they moved to Rapid City and began their family. Jim was a generous and loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who loved teaching, playing cards and other games with his family and friends, no matter how old or young they were. He was an enthusiastic fan of his family's sports teams and other activities, and enjoyed his many trips to Las Vegas and Deadwood with a number of family and friends. He was an active member of the Rapid City VFW Post 1273, and worked at Pacific Fruit and Barber Transportation until 1992, when he retired and spent the rest of his years entertaining, supporting, and blessing his large family and many friends. Jim is survived by his wife Bonnie, Rapid City; daughter Jean (Alvino) Jimenez of Lubbock, TX; daughter Janet (Robert Valdez) Houser; two sons: Mike Leiby and Lloyd Leiby, all of Rapid City; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the VFW Post 1273. Visitation will from 5:00 -7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 17, 2014 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. A Christian Wake Service will follow at 7:00 p.m. Christian Funeral Mass will be offered at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at Blessed Sacrament Church with Rev. Timothy Castor presiding. Interment will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.