John Clifton Babb, 78

John Clifton Babb, 78, of Madisonville, KY passed away Monday, October 27, 2025 at Baptist Health Deaconess in Madisonville, KY He was born May 29, 1947 in Minnesota to the late Jesse C. Babb and Elizabeth Rose Smith. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Judy Babb; and his daughter, Julie J. Babb Espey. John was an Air Force veteran. He served in Vietnam, where he worked on aircraft. He met the love of his life, Judy Babb, before he went into the service and they have been happily married for 53 years. In his free time, he was a big fisherman. John was also a member of the American Legion and a lifetime member of the VFW 5480 Post 6 in Madisonville. He is survived by his two daughters, Jonna (Keith) Rickard of Madisonville, and Jennifer (Steven) Gipson of Paducah, KY; one sister, Donna Holmes of Madisonville; one brother, Michael Babb of Pillager, Minnesota; three grandchildren, John (Ashley) Brittain, Devon Moore, and Chloe Gipson; great grandchildren, Karter Brittain and Summer Brittain; bonus grandchildren, Brook Cantoral, Jeremy (Kacey) Rickard, and Jamie (Matt) Kerperien; bonus great grandchildren, Maycee Rickard, Rex Kerperien, Harper Rickard, and Ariah Cantoral; and several nieces and nephews. His family was everything to him. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday November 1, 2025 at Barnett-Strother Funeral Home – Madisonville Chapel with Rev, Jessie Campbell and Chaplin Nick Duvall officiating. Burial will follow at Grapevine Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until the service time Saturday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be John Brittain, Devon Moore, Jeremy Rickard, Matthew Kerperien, John Paul Holmes, and Willis Holmes.