James Jay Gibbs, age 91, passed away peacefully on April 6, 2023 at Indiana Regional Medical Center, Indiana, Pennsylvania, after a short illness. He was born in Beebeetown, Iowa, on November 9, 1931, to Frank and Alma (Morris) Gibbs.
He was in the Air Force as a Radar Airborne Mechanic, stationed in Japan during the Korean War. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.
He attended college at the University of Iowa, graduating with a degree in Biology. It was at University of Iowa where he met his future wife of 65 years, June (McLaughlin) and they were married on December 22, 1957.
James and June lived in Omaha, Nebraska; Minneapolis Minnesota; Bowie, Maryland; Monroeville, Pennsylvania for most of their married lives; and finally in Blairsville and Indiana, Pennsylvania in personal care homes for the last 2 years.
Jim worked for the FDA for most of his career. He started out as an inspector and became a supervisor in the Pittsburgh office. Jim enjoyed fishing, reading, watching action movies and tv shows, and eating at nice restaurants. He and June owned Yorkie dogs over the course of the past 40 years and Sam now lives with his “older sister”, Ruth. Jim gardened by taking care of “June’s roses” and did yard work year-round. He also stayed in shape by jogging and later walking every morning outdoors or at the Monroeville Mall.
For many winters after they retired, Jim and June RVed in Tampa, Florida, enjoying days at Busch Gardens and Disney World. They also visited June’s brother Bill McLaughlin and his wife, Verna. Jim and June enjoyed the fresh produce in Florida. Jim especially loved sweet corn and they both loved the strawberries.
James was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Alma Gibbs; his sisters, Frances Osborne and Nina Johnson; and his grandson, Daniel Lawrence Davis.
James is survived by his wife, June Gibbs; his children, Ruth Masula (Paul), Denise Davis (Randy), and Jay Gibbs; grandchildren, Nicole Schiller (Jason), Colleen Hill (Tony), Stuart Masula (Melissa nee Taylor), James Davis (Alyshia nee Bohannon), Joshua Gibbs (Alex nee Bourquein), Arianna Gibbs (Chris Ortiz); great-grandchildren, Cora Mae Schiller, Kai Xandar Masula, Hunter Rylan Taylor, Delilah Ortiz, and Everly Austen Gibbs; and many nieces and nephews.
Services are private, but charitable contributions can be made to Monroeville United Methodist Church, the Humane Society, or The American Cancer Society.
Shoemaker Funeral Home, Inc., Blairsville, PA has been entrusted with arrangements. To view the online obituary, sign the guest registry or send condolences visit www.shoemakerfamilyservices.com.
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