James Francis Wible
February 21, 1949 ~ January 24, 2022
James Francis WIble, Jr., was born in Leonardtown in St. Mary’s County, Maryland on February 21, 1949, and was the first child of his parents, Jim Senior and Betty. Growing up in St. Mary’s County, his gifts were apparent. He showed an early talent for art, loved reading and astronomy, and did very well in school. Jim graduated from Ryken High, a preparatory school, where he thrived on friendly academic competition. He graduated with honors from St. Mary’s College of Maryland in 1975 with a BA in English Literature.
When young Jim approached a newspaper regarding employment, he learned they didn’t need another reporter or editor, but did have an opening for a graphic designer. Jim jumped in and thanks to his natural talent, the paper won awards for visual excellence. Thus, a self-taught art director began his career path. Jim went on to do a great deal of work for government contractors, creating cartoons, insignia, logos, comics, and complex technical illustrations. Much of this was in support of the military, especially the Marines and Navy, and he even created top secret presidential briefings. Jim was especially proud of the illustrations he did for the NASA space program, particularly the Hubble Space Telescope. Meticulous and ever the perfectionist, he inked his drawings so carefully they were often mistaken for prints. Mid-career he taught himself computer design skills to keep up with the times. He was always happy to share his knowledge of both traditional and electronic techniques. (It’s been said that before there were how-to design videos on YouTube, there was Jim.) Later jobs included designing intricate bedspreads to be quilted robotically for Designer’s Express, and creating a logo, packaging, and other branding material for Mad Catz, a computer game accessory company.
Jim also created art for himself, and to support the creative and entrepreneurial efforts of his friends. He designed a logo for the cover of the 2001 book, Swords & Circuitry: A Designer’s Guide to Computer Role-Playing Games, along with numerous interior icons and illustrations. This book was adopted as a textbook by many game design schools. When the authors later created the entertainment company Swords & Circuitry Studios, the logo carried forward, and remains an important part of the S&C brand.
He was a lifelong reader, and enjoyed science fiction and fantasy, Arthurian literature, science news, comics, and more. He loved attending science fiction and fantasy conventions and Comic-Con International. He was well-known and liked in fan communities, including the Beauty & the Beast and Tiki Oasis groups. Jim had many life-long friends, and happily stayed connected or reconnected with them through social media.
Facing his final illness with admirable grace and dignity, Jim felt at peace, and frequently expressed gratitude for the life he’d lived, its experiences and lessons, and for his friends and loved ones. He passed away peacefully the morning of January 24, 2022. Preceded in death by his grandparents and parents, Jim is survived by his devoted partner Ellen Siders of Lemon Grove, California, and his family in Hollywood, Maryland, including his brother Ronnie Wible and sister-in-law Barbara, his daughter Laura Wible and son-in-law Kenny Cusic, his grandson Brandon Wible and great-grandson Brayden, his niece Melissa Hall (Bobby) and nephew John Wible (Eleshia), great-nieces Shelby Hall and Peyton Wible, and great-nephew Jaxon Wible, Shane Mulligan, and Tyler Mulligan. In accordance with Jim’s wishes, his ashes will be buried next to his parents at St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church, Hollywood, MD.
A private Funeral Service was held on February 24, 2022
Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.
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I remember Jim when he worked for a local Contractor on the base. I bought a Crab Halloween costume from him and wore it to a Halloween party that year, everyone called me Maryland as in Maryland Crab. He was also a cousin of mine, My father’s Mother was a Wible from Hollywood. Her name was Beatrice Wible and she married Claude Thompson. Rest in peace Jim. Love, your cousin Linda