Obituary of Jack Alvin Gibb

Jack A. Gibb, 90, died Thursday, January 26, 2023 in McMinnville, Oregon. Born April 9, 1932, in Denver, Colorado, to Aimee Geneva Holm and Thomas Longmore Gibb. Being a depression-era child, he began working at age 9 and spent part of his childhood in an orphanage. While school-age, he spent a couple of summers as a ranch hand in Colorado and Wyoming. From 1947 to 1949, he served in the Colorado National Guard. Jack graduated from West High School in Denver in 1950. He then served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953 in airplane and helicopter maintenance squadrons, including the Black Sheep VMF-214 squadron. During the war, he survived a helicopter crash in a rice paddy.

Upon discharge, he worked at the U.S. Postal Service and held a variety of second jobs. He attended an automotive trade program at Denver Opportunity School and later worked at Climax Molybdenum Company as a hard rock miner. He ultimately settled into an apprenticeship with the Public Service Company of Colorado, where he became a journeyman pipefitter and senior serviceman before retiring in 1990.

Jack was an avid reader and a history buff. He spent many hours hiking around Bassam Park, Colorado and accumulated an impressive collection of Indian artifacts. He enjoyed swimming and scuba diving. During retirement, he competed nationally on a Masters Swim Team in Sun City, AZ. His love of camping led to several years of RVing and camp hosting at various locations in Colorado and Oregon.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley, and their three children, Cynthia Barnes, Christine Cofell, and Andrew Gibb, as well as eight grandchildren, Katherine Cofell, Karl Cofell, Kyle Gibb, Joe Gibb, Kadence Karlson, Graham Prather-Long, Avery Prather-Long and Dashiell Prather-Long.

A viewing will be from 12:30 to 1:30 PM on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 1336 S. Jason St., Denver, Colorado (building is tan stucco with black awning, no signage, street parking). Burial will be the same day at 2:15 PM at Ft. Logan National Cemetery 3698 South Sheridan Blvd., Denver, Colorado. Immediately following the burial will be a reception at Lakewood Elks #1777. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Association will be appreciated.

Viewing

12:30 PM to 1:30 PM

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

1336 S. Jason Street

Denver, Colorado

Reception

3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Lakewood Elks #1777

1455 Newland St

Lakewood, CO 80214