Richard Russell Gibbs

Richard Russell Gibbs, 86, died of cancer on February 18, 2018, at home surrounded by his family. Richard was born on September 22, 1931 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, to parents Lloyd and Myrle Gibbs. He attended Will Rogers High School and then graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1954 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He took over his father's company, the Lloyd T. Gibbs Co and incorporated it as Automatic Engineering. He and his wife also owned Ann's Hallmark in Tulsa. Richard was a great family man and loving husband and father. He married Ann Sanders Anderson in 1957. She was a widow with two young daughters, Chere and Teresa. He adopted them and raised them as his own. Richard and Ann added son Russell to the family. Richard was a very active man and was involved in many organizations, including Rotary Club of Tulsa and Tulsa Men's Book Club. He was very involved in his fraternity, Alpha Sigma Phi, even serving as National Grand Senior President. After retirement, he became very active in volunteer work. He loved volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, Junior Achievement, Reading Partners, Adopt a School at Celia Clinton, and Boston Avenue Methodist Church Mission trips. His proudest achievement was his involvement in the Sandite Child Development Center in Sand Springs. He led the way in rebuilding a facility in the area. Richard enjoyed traveling around the world, especially cruising with his family. He loved going to the family cabin on Lake Tenkiller. His biggest love was spending time with his children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren, nieces and nephews Richard was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Myrle Gibbs. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ann; children: Chere Gibbs (Cindy Phillips) of Sand Springs, Teresa Noble (Randy) of Bettendorf, Iowa, and Russell Gibbs (Julie) of Tulsa; grandchildren: Andrew McCalley (Melanie) of LeClaire, Iowa, Amy McCalley of Bettendorf, Iowa, Jennifer Kuntz (Jordan) of Tulsa, Angie Ellis (Clark) of Norman Oklahoma, and Carlin Gibbs of New York City; great-grandchildren: Jackson, Ella, Abby, and Park; sister: JoAnne Collins of Yazoo City, Mississippi; sisters-in-law: Mary Graeber of Denver, Colorado, and Marceline Sanders of St. Louis, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews. A funeral is scheduled for Richard on Friday, February 23rd at 2:00 at Boston Avenue Methodist Church with a reception to follow. Rev. Amy Venable with officiate. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Richard's life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Richard's favorite project The Sandite Child Development Center, P.O. Box 728 Sand Springs, OK, 74063 or the Boston Avenue Methodist Church Building Fund. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com

Richard Russell Gibbs

September 22, 1931 - February 18, 2018