Stuart Wayne Gibbs

Stuart Wayne Gibbs passed from this life on Sunday, January 26 surrounded by family members he so loved and cherished. The son of Frank and Audrey Gibbs, Stuart was born on April 11, 1941, in Sand Springs, OK. Stuart graduated from Tulsa Central High School in 1959, where he was a member of the basketball team. He then studied Petroleum Engineering at Oklahoma State University while concurrently serving in the US Navy Reserves from 1959-1963. While working for McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft one summer, he was assigned duties on the Saturn rocket program and was headed to a project in the desert before he was scheduled to attend Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. Mr. Gibbs was instead called to Active Duty serving as Boatswain Mate in the US Navy in Guam and stationed at Pearl Harbor from 1963-1965 while serving on the USS Serrano and USS Stark County vessels. After the military, Stuart worked in the engineering departments of Tulsa-based Warren Petroleum, International Fabricators, Burtek Industries, and Air-X-Changers. He then used that experience to start his own privately-owned companies in Oklahoma. Mr. Gibbs was Owner and President of several successful Oklahoma businesses including: Gibbs and Associates, Victory Petroleum, and three ornamental metals companies, including: Zephyr Metals later expanding to Zephyr Southwest, Cherokee Architectural Metals, and Osiyo Metals. These companies would design, fabricate and install award-winning structural and ornamental steel projects including rail systems and elaborate staircases throughout North America and the Caribbean, including high-fashion retail locations such as Henri Bendel's store in New York City, Washington Redskins' FedEx Field and Camana Bay in the Cayman Islands. Locally his projects remain integral parts of Woodland Hills Mall, Warren Theater, the Tulsa County Library and many buildings in downtown Tulsa. He retired from business in 2016 but maintained his drive to stay active. Stuart had a self-professed "need for speed." His love of cars and racing led him to the Tulsa Airport drag racing scene with his 1952 Ford Coupe and later in life he competed in the Trans Am Series on racetracks across the Southern US. He was an active member of the Corvette Car Club and exhibited at many car shows. He was the owner of a cherished and decorated 1955 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 that he rebuilt and refinished. He also loved to travel and participated in Jeep Jamboree events throughout the US with his wife, Pam. He also enjoyed his weekly golf matches with good friends. Stuart was the previous owner of Blue-Ribbon Stables in Shelbyville, Tennessee where he and his wife owned a ranch dedicated to training more than 40 Tennessee Walking Horses. Stuart competed in several national events and won countless blue ribbons. Stuart enjoyed being actively involved in his family's lives, as well as volunteering for many civic duty positions: Certified Court Mediator in Tulsa, Creek and Okmulgee counties for small claims and family and divorce cases Active member and faithful servant at Asbury Church serving in the following roles: Chairman of the Asbury Methodist Pastor Parish Relations Committee, Member of the Financial Committee and Chairman of the Administrative Board Served on the Board of Directors for: o Exchange National Bank o Metro Christian School o Tulsa Men's Club o Tennessee Walking Horse Owners, Exhibitors and Breeders Association Past member of the Southeast Tulsa Jaycees and Kiwanis International Stuart is survived by his wife, Pam Gibbs of 34 years; a daughter, Leslie Swafford and husband Shannon of Tulsa, OK; a step-daughter Kim Smith and husband Trey of Chelsea, OK; a step-daughter, Erica Ewy and husband Barry of Bixby, OK and Barry's children Caroline and Blake; a step-son Charles Collins and wife Roni of Broken Arrow, OK; and a half-brother, Tom Underwood of Bradenton, FL. He also leaves behind eight cherished grandchildren: Caleb Gibbs and his wife Jennie of Claremore, OK; Seth Gibbs of Jay, OK; Chase and Grayson Swafford of Tulsa, OK; Hunter and Harrison Hughes of Bixby, OK; Lauren and Audrey Collins of Broken Arrow, OK; and great-granddaughter, Lynnlee Gibbs of Claremore, OK. He is survived by many cousins and a loving extended family whom he adored. Stuart was preceded in death by Carol Gibbs, the mother of Randy and Leslie; his son, Randy Gibbs; a half-brother, John Underwood; and his parents Frank and Audrey Gibbs. A celebration of Stuart's life will be held in the Mason Chapel at Asbury Church on Friday, January 31 at 2:00 pm followed by a small reception in the main foyer.

Stuart Wayne Gibbs

April 11, 1941 - January 26, 2025