Charles W. “Jr.” Gibbs, age 70, passed away at his home, with his wife by his side on Wednesday, March 30, 2011.
He was born on December 30, 1940 in Sylva, North Carolina, the only son of six children of Charlie & Bertha (Ammons) Gibbs.
In 1946 at the age of 5 he moved with his family to Washington, settling in the Skagit Valley. Charlie attended school in Clear Lake and Sedro-Woolley, graduating from Sedro-Woolley High School with the class of 1959.
On June 9, 1961 he was united in marriage to Dorothy Ensley at the Lyman Baptist Church. Together they had two children, Cheryl and Wes.
Charlie was employed as a plumber and pipe fitter for 35 years. He worked for Snelson & Company for 23 years and later at Seattle City Light, retiring in 2002.
Charlie enjoyed auto racing! From 1968 until 1979 he raced at Skagit Speedway, Sky Valley and Elma Speedway. Awards such as Rookie of the Year, Sportsmanship, track records, craftsmanship and track championships were some of his many accomplishments. After retiring from racing, Charlie and Dorothy enjoyed riding their motorcycle and many trips on their boat. He also enjoyed painting, fishing, gardening and spending time with his grandchildren.
Charlie is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Dorothy at the family home; his daughter, Cheryl Taylor of Sedro-Woolley and his son, Wes Gibbs and his wife, Tracie of Newberg, Oregon. Five grandchildren, Ryan Taylor and his fiancé Cayla, Lindsie Taylor, and Kelsey Gibbs all of Sedro-Woolley and Elijah & Emma Gibbs of Newberg, OR, and one step-granddaughter, Jossalyn Nielsen of Kirkland, WA. Four sisters, Jean Hill and husband Butch of Mount Vernon, Bertha Rogers and husband Chuck of Conway, Kathy Gallagher of Sedro-Woolley and Marti Queen and husband Dub of Burlington and numerous nieces and nephews and cousins. A brother-in-law, Ernie Adams of Sedro-Woolley; two sisters-in-law, Carolyn Coble and Husband Dennis of Samish Island and Jan Massey and husband Steve of Sedro-Woolley. He was preceded in death by his father, Charlie in 1991; his mother, Bertha in 2010; a sister, Edith Adams in 2010 and two brothers-in-law, Chuck Gallagher in 2009 and Robert Ensley in 1998.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Kuan, Trish, and all the staff at the Skagit Valley Kidney Center. Memorials are suggested to the Skagit Valley Kidney Center, 1415 E. Kincaid, Mount Vernon, WA 98274 or the American Diabetes Association.
Graveside Services will be held on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 2:00 pm at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery with Pastor John Batts of the First Baptist Church in Clear Lake officiating. A fellowship will follow the service at the Sedro-Woolley Community Center. Visitation will be available at Lemley Chapel on Monday from 9am to 5pm and on Tuesday from 9am to noon.
Cheryl and Wes,
I was in the old neighborhood the other day and drove by your old house – the first thing I thought of was your Dad working on the race car! I am so out of touch I didn’t even know he was sick. I am so sorry for your loss and will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Shelly Noble Oslie
My thoughts and prayers are with you. RIP A true gentleman.
Dorothy and Family:
Was so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with
you and your family.
Take Care
Love
Caroline
I didn’t have the joy of knowing Charlie for very long, but in the short time I did know him, he had an infectious impact on my life. When we first really got a chance to talk with one another, it was in preparation for another family funeral last year. Even so, he shared stories with me like we had known one another for much longer.
One of the things he shared with me, that will stay with me forever, was his love for Scripture and his desire to maybe even preach. I told him that he would be welcome to share at our church (First Baptist – Clear Lake) any time he wanted — now I’ll need to wait until I join him in heaven to hear the sermon God laid on his heart!
If the measure of a man is the legacy he leaves behind, I can assure you that Charlie Gibbs is standing mighty tall in heaven now!
God’s blessings to the family,
–Pastor John
Dorothy & Family
Our thoughts and prayers our with you at this time .
Dorthy I was saddened to here of your loss Charly was verry important to me in my early life I remember many times hanging out with him while he worked on his race cars he alwase had time for this small boy and taught me A lot about motors and racing he will be missed sincerly Barr Massey…
Dorothy and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you during the loss of your loved one. We have such great memories of times we spent together, having dinners together, traveling to race tracks, out in the garage or just around the house visiting. Dorothy, you have been amazing taking care of Jr. this years when your health hasn’t always been great either. Your an amazing person and may God bless you.We will always hold onto the great memories.
I was hohored to have known and raced with Jr. He was a true gentleman and a pleasure to compete against. His many raicng awards were so well deserved, especially his Sportsmanship awards. He was always the first to help out whenever a fellow competitor needed assistance. Anytime you raced side by side with Jr. you knew that you were going to have to run hard and that he would always give you enough room to run. RIP number 22 amd I hope to get to run with you again ………..
With a huge amount of respect,
Dick Wilskey
My thoughts and prays are with us. You were a huge inspiration on my life.
thanks Jr.
Dorothy and Family,
Charlie will be greatly missed by our entire Family. He had a major impact on my life since through him I started my career as a Plumber, I enjoyed my time working with him, and teasing him on a daily basis at work.
Our greatest sympathies to you and your family in this time of grief.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you,
Sherwin, Sandi, Kyle and Christopher Phillips
Newhalem
Dorothy, Cheryl, Wes and Family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. I just could not believe it this morning when my mom called me. JR was someone that was just suppose to live for ever, but I know that he is in a much better place and is no longer hurting. I have so many memories of him from when I was younger and those memories will live on forever. He will be greatly miss by all that he touch here on earth. RIP JR and I will see you again someday.
I am a better person for having known Charlie Gibbs. He was a true gentleman. He loved life, he loved Dorothy, and he especially loved every member of his family—you could tell that by the way he spoke of his loved ones and even the newest members of the Gibbs family “on the way”. He will be truly missed.
Lynn
Dorothy and family,
It is so sad to lose a classmate as special as Junior. He was always such a happy person at SWHS and the reunions. Yea SWHS 1959!
Even though we didn’t see each other often you both were very special to me.
Take care of yourself Dorothy.
With love,
Janet (Bistodeau) Loe