Gene R. Gibbs

December 28, 1935 - March 26, 2024

Master Gunnery Sgt (E9) Gene R. Gibbs United States Marine Corps retired, finished his

earthly mission 26 March 2024 and has gone to start his eternal mission training. He loved his God, family and

country with a dedication to serve each to his best ability.

He was born in Gary, Indiana to Ralph Gibbs and Marcella (Watson) Gibbs. He is survived by his wife, Darla

(Thompson) Gibbs, children, Ellen McKee, Susan Caylor and Robyn Gilliam (Jack), grandchildren Danielle

Green, Michael Gibbs, Matthew Moore, Megan Caylor, Magen Moore, and Chance Caylor and great

grandchildren Audrey Gibbs, Pelham Torbert, Lydia Green and Talon Moore, sister Janet Perkins, brothers

Jerry Gibbs (Linda) and Gary Gibbs (Kathy).

His life was one of adventure as his family moved to Decatur, Georgia in 1941 where he graduated from Druid

Hills High School in 1954 and immediately joined the Marine Corps. From there he went to Parris Island, SC

for boot camp, NAS Memphis for electronics training, Torrance, CA as his first duty station, then on to Hawaii,

and Japan. Upon returning stateside he was assigned to Cherry Point, NC where he worked on the electronics

and countermeasures in VMCJ-2. It was here that he met Darla who was also a Marine. He asked her to marry

him and because he was a great dancer Darla agreed. They were married July 23, 1960 in Havelock, NC and

their first daughter was born. It was now back to NAS Memphis where he received advanced electronics

training and became an instructor. Their other two daughters were born while at NAS Memphis. He went to

Vietnam and served in a helicopter unit as load master and electronics technician. While in Vietnam he was

commissioned temporary officer as a 2nd Lt. After successfully completing his tour, it was off to Beaufort, SC

for his next duty, five months later he was sent to Quantico, VA for training in Communications and 6 months

later to Camp Pendelton, CA where he was the Communications Officer. That was 3 moves in one year – with

wife and children in tow! He was decommissioned as an officer after rising to the rank of Captain as the

Vietnam conflict was decreasing. It was at this time he decided to leave his belove Marine Corps and start a

new career as the best salesman for Motorola in Phoenix, AZ covering Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and part of

Texas. Two years later Motorola sent him to Wiesbaden Germany where he was the best salesman covering

Europe, Middle East and Africa. Then it was back to Washington DC for 10 months before being assigned to

the Atlanta, GA office to cover Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. He also joined the Marine Reserves to

complete his military career with over 24 years of service. After 13 years of traveling for Motorola, he decided

it was time for another change. He and Darla moved to Opelika, AL in 1983 and finally settled down. He

became a businessman as owner of CommTronics of Alabama a shop selling two-way radios/service and

warranty shop for various companies. As that industry changed, he decided it was again time to change careers.

He then went to work at Grand National Golf Course keeping all the golf carts in tip top shape and fixing

anything that needed repair. He finally decided it was time to "really" retire and just enjoy time with family and

friends.

Gene was as a volunteer fireman in Beauregard community when he first moved to Opelika, had been a member

of the Exchange Club serving as President once, volunteered at the hospital till COVID hit, and worked as a

poll worker for several years.

He and Darla served for two years as the first full time missionaries at Fort Benning (now Fort Moore) for the

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 2002-2004. When they weren't teaching the Gospel to the

recruits, they volunteered for Red Cross assisting with the main office as well as Martin Army Community

Hospital volunteers.

He was a great man, loved by his family and many others. He will be dearly missed but very fondly

remembered for his example of faithful follower of our Lord and Savior, husband, father, grandfather, great-

grandfather, brother, hard worker, friend, neighbor, and community minded servant

He will be interred at Fort Mitchell with military honors. A Celebration of his life will be held on May 4th.

Semper Fi!