Middleburgh - James Ernest Bixby, 89, of Bixby Road, died Thursday, August 17, 2017 at the Mountain Valley Hospice in Gloversville.

James was born on April 27, 1928 to Ernest James Bixby and Katherine Peek Bixby in the town of Middleburgh, in the house he has lived in all of his life.

James attended Middleburgh Central School and worked on the family farm.  He later was district sales manager of Pioneer Hi-Bred, Inc. retiring in 1985. James was chairman of the Middleburgh Town and Village Planning Board for 25 years, he was an elder of the Reformed Church of America and a member of Lawyersville Reformed Church in Cobleskill.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sisters:  Dorothy Goldsmith, Doris Hawley and Dora Bixby and one great-grandchild.

James was married to Margaret Gifford Bixby Oct. 16, 1948 and together, raised his beautiful family that survive him, including: daughter: Sandra Rourke of  Fort Edward; sons: James (Mary) Bixby, Jr. of Middleburgh,  John (Kathie) Bixby of Pittsford, VT, Jeffrey (Karen) Bixby of Middleburgh; 8 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren.

James' family respectfully asks you to celebrate his life and keep them in thought and prayer while services are held privately.

Memorials in James' memory are asked to be sent to the Nancy Dowd House, 108 Steele Avenue, Gloversville, New York 12078 or Middleburgh Emergency Volunteer Ambulance Corp, PO Box 817, Middleburgh, NY 12122

Coltrain Funeral Home, LLC of Middleburgh is honored to be caring for James and his family.