Mr. Gibbons has passed away at his home following 16 years w/Parkinson's disease. He was the son of the late Rachel Marllowe & Charles Gibbons. He was a 1945 graduate of Purdy High School & never lost his love for the school. In Oct 1949 he married Dorothy. They attended all school activities regularly. Basketball & volleyball were their favorites. After graduation from high school Gabby enlisted in the Army Air Force. He served most of his time in Japan, w/an occupation division. Following his discharge, he went to Drury College. He graduated in 1950, earning a BS degree in education w/an emphasis in PE, science, & math. Later he received his masters & specialists degrees in educational administration. He taught physical education, math, science & health at Purdy, southwest of Washburn, & East Newton School Districts from 1950 - 1956, 1975 - 1989. He also coached basketball & volleyball. He touched the lives of many, many students. In 1956, he left education. They purchased the Purdy Telephone Company. Later they acquired Fairview, Stark City, Wheaton, & Verona telephone exchanges where he changed the telephone system from switchboards to direct dial for the whole region. They sold the telephone company in 1971. He returned to coaching. He was a lifelong member of the First Christian Church where he was a board member, elder & Sunday school teacher. Some of his favorite hobbies included listening to jazz music, flying his airplane, playing basketball & working w/kids.

He is survived by his wife, kids: Michelle Deney w/husband Joel their kids Zach & Isaac, Rene' Jager w/husband Steve son Michael, Jana Garritson w/husband Aaron their kids Lucas & Austin, & Rick; sisters, P J Jones & Nancy Mills w/husband Don; as well as his Aunt Agnes Johnson (92); plus many nieces, nephews, cousins & friends.

Bennett-Wormington, Monett