Bobby Gibson

Bob was born October 8, 1935 in Fort Smith, Arkansas, as the youngest son of George Stewart and Mattie Frances (Bell) Gibson. He proudly served in the United States Naval Reserves (1953-1961) and was a graduate of Fort Smith High School class of 1955. Later that year he moved to Kokomo, Indiana where he began working at Chrysler Corporation as a steamfitter apprentice, graduating from the program in 1959 as a Journeyman Steamfitter. With his ambition and hard work, he was promoted in 1963 to the Plant Engineering Department where he would work as an Engineer until his retirement in 1992.

Bob married the late, Shelby Jean Clark on December 12, 1955. The couple grew their family with three beautiful daughters, Nancy Ellen White, the late, Susan Glenn Gibson and Elizabeth Ann Bralley. During their 21 years of marriage, Bob and Shelby enjoyed many memorable life experiences raising their children with their best friends, Ann Faye and the late, John Crow; including fishing, hunting, camping and traveling. Bob lost Shelby to Leukemia in January 1977. Bob went on to marry, Judith Ann (Hawkins) Rinehart on November 25, 1977. Judy had three children, Suzan K. (Richard) Gregory, the late, Jeffrey A. Rinehart and Julia (Steve) Johnson. Bob loved spending time with his grandchildren and was blessed to be able to attend numerous athletic events, extracurricular activities, birthday parties, graduations and weddings.

A congregant of Northview Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Bob enjoyed his work as a trustee and throughout the years served as a member of the board, led various committees, and served as Chairman of the Board. He was very proud of the stained-glass window he handmade and installed in the large West window of the sanctuary, which is now available for viewing in the memory hall at Southside Christian Church in Kokomo. Bob and Judy became members of Kokomo Zion Church in 2022 where he continued to serve as a trustee and volunteered on various other committees, which he regarded as his way of serving the Lord.

In his free time, Bob enjoyed woodworking, reading, archery, hunting, fishing, camping, golfing, stained-glass work, and laughing. He crafted several heirloom pieces of furniture for his wife, daughters and grandchildren. His largest project was a walnut bedroom suite for his wife, Judy.

Throughout their 47 years of marriage, Bob and Judy enjoyed camping and traveling. He often noted a fantastic trip to Switzerland with Judy, a cruise with daughter Beth and granddaughter Shelby, and several memorable fishing trips to Canada with close friends the late, Jerry and Karen Caylor. Bob and Judy traveled all over the country camping and that is where they met a host of interesting people and made many good friends.

In later years, Bob enjoyed serving on the Board of Directors for Northwest Meadows Condo Association and the Berkley Square Condo Association.

Bob is survived by his wife, Judith Ann; daughters, Nancy E. White, Elizabeth A. (Mark) Bralley, Suzan K. Gregory, Julia A. (Steve) Johnson; older brothers, J.B. and Billy J. Gibson; grandchildren, Kylie (Parker) Adams, Wesley (Taylor) White, Shelby (Tyler) Capper, Bradley Miller, Brandon Miller, Barry (Becky) Miller, Samantha Johnson and Brian Johnson. Bob was blessed with many great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, George and Mattie Gibson; wife, Shelby Gibson, daughter, Susan Gibson; son, Jeffrey Rinehart; his very special twin sister, Betty Greenwood; brother, G.S. Gibson; sisters, Francis Rayl, Mary Ann Thresher; sons-in-law, Mark Dzuba and Richard Gregory.

Bob will be missed by all who knew him. God is given the glory for this life.

Visitation will take place at Ellers Mortuary, 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, on Saturday, June 14, 2025 from 11:00 AM until the start of funeral services at 2:00 PM. Burial will follow at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob's name to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or donate online at St.Jude.org/donatetoday. Share a memory with the family at www.ellersmortuary.com.