Tibbs Gerald G.
February 17, 1928 ~ January 28, 2010
Tibbs, Gerald G., 81, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 28 in Wichita, KS. Gerald was born February 17, 1928 in Silver Lake KS, the son of Harry and Dora Howell Tibbs. He married Betty Jeane Thoman on June 6, 1953. Following graduation from The University of Kansas, Gerald worked at Boeing Wichita for four years. He spent the remainder of his career working for the U.S. Air Force as a mechanical engineer, first at Forbes Air Force Base and later at McConnell. He spent his retirement years traveling with Betty, volunteering at church, helping others, fixing things tractors and cars, mostly and being a good grandpa. In recent years he was a faithful caregiver for Betty, and enjoyed taking part in the Wichita V-8 Flyers Club. He is preceded in death by his parents Harry and Dora Tibbs of Silver Lake, KS; his brother DeLloyd Tibbs of Winter Haven, FL; and his sister Nadine Brown of Republic, KS. He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Betty; daughters Jana (Eric) Snyder of Wichita and Pamela Tibbs of Kansas City, MO; grandchildren Ian and Annica Snyder; and sisters Marvalie (Derryl) Johnson and Marjorie Hromada, both of Topeka, KS. Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 31 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Downing and Lahey, 6555 E. Central. The service will be held Monday, February 1, 10:00 a.m. at Downing and Lahey and a graveside service will be held the same day at 3:00 p.m. at Walnut Hill Cemetery, six miles north of Silver Lake, KS. Following the graveside service there will be a reception at Grove Community Hall. Memorials may be made to Hope Music Works; PO Box 436; Rose Hill, KS 67133; or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation; ttp://pulmonaryfibrosis.org; 1332 N. Halstead St. Suite 201; Chicago, Illinois 60642.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 31 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Downing and Lahey, 6555 E. Central. The service will be held Monday, February 1, 10:00 a.m. at Downing and Lahey and a graveside service will be held the same day at 3:00 p.m. at Walnut Hill Cemetery, six miles north of Silver Lake, KS. Following the graveside service there will be a reception at Grove Community Hall.
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
I am a 2nd cousin 1st removed of Gerald, we share the common ancestor Ambrose Howell. Back in 1992 we corresponded and he helped me fill in much of the Parkinson and Howell lines in my genealogy project. I just learned today, June 9, 2010 of his passing. My thanks to Mr. Tibbs, for his kindness in sharing his knowledge. I still keep his letters and notes in my filing case. My own father just died on February 28, 2010. So my sympathies are with the Tibbs’ family. -Douglas E. Dea, Fort Myers Beach, FL.
Dear Pam and Jana, I just wanted to say that the service that you planned and executed was a fine tribute and indeed well thought out. The music was very appropriate for your dad and the message you two presented expressed much love and gratitude for a very caring dad. I was totally unaware that both your mother and dad were experiencing such devastating health problems. I looked at the 2003 picture in the order of service bulletin and thought-that was only 7 years ago. Indeed we need to appreciate each day completely and strive to follow the Love Chapter of the Bible. I will be thinking of you both often, as well as Betty, of course. And you will all be in my prayers. The days ahead will be difficult. Jennifer has never been able to open the boxes that I sent her after her dad’s death, let alone emptying a household full of memories. In His Love, Joyce Glimpse Madden
To the family of Jerry Tibbs: I worked with Jerry in the 70s and 80s in civil engineering. I also spoke with Betty when she would call for Jerry during the day. I met Betty several times. Jerry was such a sweet guy, smart and funny and sort of droll. I was sorry to read of his death. I was schedled to conduct a training class for 20 people the morning of the service or I would have been there. Jerry was one day older than my dad, who I lost in 2006. My condolences to the family. Krista Jackson