Dale Gibbs

Glen Dale Gibbs was born June 5, 1930 and entered the Gates of Heaven on February 13, 2025. Born in Rowden, Texas, Dale graduated from Bayou High School where he played on the basketball team. After graduation, he entered the US Army and served a memorable assignment in Alaska. During his enlistment, he returned to Texas to marry his wife of 73 years, Patsy (Pat) Ruth Crow. They settled in Abilene, Texas and raised two sons, Gary and Roger.

For most of his working life, Dale worked in the oil industry. He managed the branch of Welex, a division of Haliburton, before retiring. After retirement, Dale worked part time driving a blind employee of the Texas Department of Health and Human Services to assignments across the Big Country. He also crafted bird feeders out of used bicycle wheels that Pat would sell to friends and neighbors.

Dale’s faith was evident through his service to the church and others. He served as a deacon at Southwest Park Baptist Church where during his sons’ teenage years, he was the official bus driver for choir tours and mission trips. In recent years, he and Pat joined Pioneer Drive Baptist Church and attended the Seniors Ministry. Dale once catered his famous barbeque for the Seniors gathering.

One of his favorite leisure activities involved attending and watching sporting events. He especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren play all sports and cheerlead. Even after the grandchildren were grown, he continued to follow their sports activities. And of course, he faithfully followed the ups and downs of the Cowboys and Rangers. Family was most important to him. Dale loved nothing more than having everyone over to feast on his massive barbeque spreads. He made sure that all who attended went home with a rack of “PaPa ribs.”

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Barney and Ima Gibbs, and his three brothers, WB, Douglas, and Dean Gibbs.

He is survived by his wife Pat Gibbs; sons Gary Gibbs (Austin) and Roger Gibbs and wife, Deborah (Abilene); Grandchildren: Michelle Smith and husband, Mark, their children, Makenna, Micah, and Mailey Kay (SanAngelo): Ryan Gibbs and wife, Laura, their children Branson and Addisyn (Rockwall); Taylor Gibbs and wife, Megan, their children Leighton, Henley, and Worth (Abilene). Also, numerous nephews and nieces and extended family.

A visitation for Dale will be held Sunday, February 16, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 5701 Highway 277 South, Abilene, TX 79606. A funeral service will occur Monday, February 17, 2025 at 1:00 PM, 5701 Highway 277 South, Abilene, TX 79606. A committal service will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park, Abilene, TX 79606.