Patrick Lee Gibbs, 86, of Olsburg, Kansas, went home to glory on Sunday, January 31, 2016, at Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan.
He was born on November 25, 1929, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, the son of the late William Marshall and Edith Veryl (Pearson) Gibbs. He was preceded in death by three brothers, William (Bill), Jack, and Jerry.
Pat was raised on a dairy farm outside of Fort Smith, and was a graduate of Fort Smith High School. Pat was a strong competitor in the Semi-Pro Baseball League. In 1950, he was a 4-H International Farm Youth Exchange student to the United Kingdom. He served in the U. S. Army from 1951-1953 and achieved the rank of Corporal.
He was always self-employed. From 1953-1956, he was associated with the family dairy operation in Ft. Smith, where they milked 100+ cows, pasteurized and homogenized the milk, bottled in glass bottles, and delivered to homes in Fort Smith. From 1956 on, Pat farmed and operated a dairy near Olsburg, Kansas. He retired and was still living on the farm at his death.
Pat was involved in the community and cared deeply about the well-being of his neighbors. He was a member of the Olsburg Lutheran Church. During his working years, he was a member of the Federal Land Bank Board of Directors and served on the Blue Valley School Board, Pottawatomie County Farm Bureau Board, and Olsburg Lutheran Church Council. In 1971, he received the “Outstanding Young Farmer” award, presented by the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.
On September 9, 1953, he was married to Mary Lou Edwards. They had three children, Rick Gibbs of Olsburg, Sue (Jim) Jenkins of Olsburg and Kelly (Gary) Gillespie of Copeland. Pat also has a daughter, Jessica (Josh) Koch of Baileyville. He has eight grandchildren, Richard Gibbs, Ryan Gibbs, Jeana Poulter, Aaron Jenkins, Ruby Jenkins, Travis Gillespie, Jennifer Hummel, and Josh Koch. He was also the proud great-grandfather of 13 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 27, 2016 from 2 until 4:00 P.M. at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home in Riley. The family asks that you please join them for coffee at the Legion Hall in Olsburg from 4:30 until 5:30 P.M. after the visitation.
Contributions to the memorial for Patrick Lee Gibbs can be made in his name to the Union State Bank at Olsburg. Funds will go to Community PRIDE and be used for the City Park. Contributions may be left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.pfeifleyfuneralhome.com.