Frank Rollie Gibbs

loving wife at his side. The world of rodeo is in a better place because of his continuing presence

and efforts for the sport in various venues.

Born September 9, 1935, in Las Vegas on the Miller Ranch Rollie participated in the Helldorado Days Parade when he was just a year old when his older brother drove a cart pulled by a pair of goats. Rollie sat behind him waving at the crowd. Little did the toddler know he would win the steer wrestling at that rodeo in 1956 and then become the President of Helldorado Days later. He rode bulls in high school, and later went professional in steer wrestling. Chuck Sheppard, a cowboy and RCA rodeo judge waived Rollie's entry fee until he started winning. June Ivory, rodeo secretary, cornered him at the Salt Lake City rodeo and made him buy his RCA card. Willard and Benny Combs hazed for him. He competed for 36 years, off and on. He worked for a crane company for years, but finally decided he should start his own business. Rollie Gibbs Crane Service helped build many hotels and casinos as well as the Nevada Test Site. His abilities and expertise in the business got the work done well and quickly which saved his customers money. The Landmark Tower's 26 concrete floors were built in 11 days. Rollie's generosity and time supported the Ronald McDonald House, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, and as a Cub Scout leader. He was a pickup man for Cotton Rosser and served as a rodeo judge, on occasion, from the 1960s to the 1980s. He has been the president of the Las Vegas High School Alumni Association since 2008, which has paid out over $100,000 in scholarships for high school youth.; president for the Nevada High School Rodeo Association; president of Miss Rodeo Nevada for three years; worked diligently with others in forming the Circuits for RCA and was president of the Wilderness Circuit. He was on the Board of Directors for the Cowboy Reunion, held during the Wrangler National Finals, that donated yearly to PRCA, Rodeo Historical Society and the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund. The bowling team, of which he was a member, won the Celebrity Bowling competition during the National Finals for 15 years. He is survived by his wife, Naomi;

brother, Delbert "Sunny' Gibbs, both of Las Vegas. There will be a Celebration of Life on October 8th at noon at Rollie & Naomi's home. Memorials for Rollie can be sent to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, 101 Pro Rodeo Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80919. Rollie never left the world of

rodeo.