Gilbert R Gibbons

Gilbert Roy Gibbons of Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas, went home to our Lord on August 23, 2022, at 94 years old. He was born in Gillespie, Illinois, on March 25, 1928, the son of John Roy Gibbons and Myrtle DeWall Gibbons.

Mr. Gibbons graduated from Gillespie SS. Simon and Jude Catholic School and Gillespie High School where he excelled in football and track, and was awarded the Illinois Athletic Scholarship. He was named to the football Southwestern Conference First Team and was elected captain of the 1945 Gillespie H.S. squad. After they met St. Louis University High School which resulted in a 7-7 tie, Gilbert was instrumental in changing the name of the sports team from the Zephyrs to the Miners. Gilbert continued success in athletics followed with a first place in the 1945 Macoupin County High Hurdles and Broad Jump.

As a High School junior in 1943, he was hired to carry mail in his home town. This was due to the shortage of mail carriers who entered the Service and as also retired carriers were pressed into service in the Post Office. Gilbert was excused from school when needed. He worked weekends and summers, and once learning the routes he walked them twice daily. Additionally, he drove the parcel truck, and serviced the front desk.

Mr. Gibbons entered the Army in 1946 and trained as a tank driver. He was then deployed to Korea with the WWII Occupation Forces, and assigned to the 42nd Construction Engineers of the XXIV Corp. With the 42nd Constructions Engineers he served as the catcher on their baseball team.

His U.S. Army tour took a dramatic change when he was recruited, trained, and worked as a Foreign Claim’s Investigator. With a vehicle (Jeep) and an interpreter in his care, Gilbert investigated a variety of cases. This work required that he sign a 50 year non-disclosure agreement to protect the nature of his work. Only recently, he was able to share his experiences through writing and storytelling.

At the age of 85, Gilbert began publishing his stories by authoring the written tale of his work and life in Korea. That book is titled “Occupier”. His next project at 90 years old was a book titled “Unity” about the forming of a coal mining union in small town Illinois.

Mr. Gibbons earned B.S. Degree in Humanities and a M.S. degree in Economics from Bradley University in Illinois. He also earned a Certificate of Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech. His career began at Alton Boxboard Co. as Inventory Control Manager and Asst. Plant Manager in Kansas City, Mo. Gilbert retired from the Chicago Northwestern Railroad Company where he held leadership positions in purchasing, including Assistant Vice President of Purchasing and Materials.

In these roles, Mr. Gibbons served as Association of American Railroad’s Chairman of Ties and Lumber, and was a member of the Purchasing Managers Association. Gilbert was very proud that his department was tasked with safeguarding the first locomotive that operated west of the Mississippi River. Built in 1848, it was later donated for posterity to the Field Museum of Chicago.

Gilbert is a member of the Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist where he served as a Eucharistic Minister for several years. He has been a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1953 serving in several positions, including VP-Treasurer for Hot Springs Knights, Inc. for 15 years.

In his retirement he and his wife loved their many winters in Port Aransas, Texas, fishing and meeting new friends.

Gilbert is predeceased by sister Dorothy Joyce Miller, and an infant sister. He is survived by his loving wife Karen Lee Gibbons; daughter’s Renee Marie (Tom) Lundin, and Robin Ann

(Larry) Sanchez; grandson Andrew (Traci) Lundin and great grandson Ethan Daniel, grandson Phillip (Natalie)Lundin and great granddaughter Brynn Harbor, sister Margaret Mary Sleboda, niece Judy (Charles) Smith, nephew Raymond Miller, first cousin and godson Rev. Donald Patrick Gibbons.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Always Home Caregiving, especially to Clara, Christina and Chenevia for their loving care throughout the past several months.

A visitation will be held Friday, September 2nd from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Gross Funeral Home, with a service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 3rd, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. John the Baptist School or church building fund.