Thomas Howard Gibbs

Thomas Howard Gibbs, 91, of Bassett, Virginia, passed away peacefully Monday, April 25, 2022, at Stanleytown Health and Rehabilitation Center.

He was born December 21, 1930, in Fairfield County, South Carolina, to the late Jason Latt Gibbs and the late Callie Drew Gibbs. He retired from the DuPont Nylon Yarn Plant in Martinsville, Virginia, after working there for thirty-five years. He was a devoted husband and loving father, married to his wife, Ruth Crouse Gibbs, for over seventy-one years.

Additionally, he had both a private pilot and a commercial pilot’s license and enjoyed flying as a hobby as well as flying for the United States Department of Forestry in his spare time. He enjoyed going on family vacations, hunting, telling Dad jokes and driving his truck – he always owned a truck. He was an expert mechanic and spent much of his time working on automobiles, repairing items around the house and building things. He was selflessly willing to help a family member, friend or neighbor in need of assistance. In his later years, prior to the pandemic, he regularly gathered with family for meals at local restaurants.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Sarah Alsaker, and Bettie Vaughn; brothers, Edward Latt “Ned” Gibbs and Gerald Barksdale “Mark” Gibbs.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Crouse Gibbs; daughter, Tracy Lynn Gibbs Smith (Whitney); sons, Barry Franklin Gibbs (Connie), Gary Thomas Gibbs (Junko) and Michael Howard Gibbs (Jill); brother, Jason Anton Gibbs (Daisy); seven grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

All services will be private.

Wright Funeral Service & Crematory is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.wrightfuneralservices.net