1916
Donald
2013
Donald Deane Gibbons
March 3, 1916 — August 14, 2013
Donald Deane Gibbons
March 3, 1916 - August 14, 2013
MONMOUTH - Donald Deane Gibbons passed away Aug. 14 at his home. He was 97 years old.
He was born March 3, 1916 in a two-room log cabin in Blackfalds, Alberta, Canada. The son of William and Ella Gibbons, Don was the youngest of nine children, which included his two brothers and six sisters.
Don attended Blindman School on Jackfish Lake and Blackfalds High School. He rode his horse, Teeny, two miles to and from school every day. As a young man, he helped his father work their quarter-section farm with a team of horses, Dick and Darby. In 1936, Don visited the United States for the first time to work on a construction project at Boulder (now Hoover) Dam in Nevada.
On June 13, 1944, he married Dorothy Genevieve Miller, a young schoolteacher from a local farming family. They were married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Red Deer, Alberta. In 1947, they held a farm sale, packed their remaining possessions, and moved to the Willamette Valley for its warmer climate.
Don and Dorothy had eight children together one son and seven daughters. A devoted family man, Don spent many hours crafting toys for his children, tending to the large family garden, and taking his family on trips around Oregon, as well as back to Canada. Don and Dorothy were longtime members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Independence.
Don worked many years at the Monmouth Cooperative Warehouse, and retired in 1978 from Judson's Plumbing and Heating in Salem.
During their retirement, Don and Dorothy enjoyed spending winters in Arizona, gardening in Oregon, and spending time with their grandchildren. In his later years, Don enjoyed writing about his experiences growing up in Canada. He was known for his sense of humor, especially among his grandchildren, who he regularly entertained with his jokes and pranks.
Don is survived by his older brother Tom, son David (Sharon) Gibbons, daughters Linda Mans, Mildred Pickering, Catherine (Patrick) Woodward, Elaine (Gary) Woodward, Martha (Steven) Russell, Clare (Ron) Mangis, 21 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by Dorothy, his wife of 67 years, daughter Anita McIntosh, and granddaughter Anjuli Woodward.
A private service for family members has been scheduled. A graveside service is being planned for a later date.
March 3, 1916 - August 14, 2013
MONMOUTH - Donald Deane Gibbons passed away Aug. 14 at his home. He was 97 years old.
He was born March 3, 1916 in a two-room log cabin in Blackfalds, Alberta, Canada. The son of William and Ella Gibbons, Don was the youngest of nine children, which included his two brothers and six sisters.
Don attended Blindman School on Jackfish Lake and Blackfalds High School. He rode his horse, Teeny, two miles to and from school every day. As a young man, he helped his father work their quarter-section farm with a team of horses, Dick and Darby. In 1936, Don visited the United States for the first time to work on a construction project at Boulder (now Hoover) Dam in Nevada.
On June 13, 1944, he married Dorothy Genevieve Miller, a young schoolteacher from a local farming family. They were married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Red Deer, Alberta. In 1947, they held a farm sale, packed their remaining possessions, and moved to the Willamette Valley for its warmer climate.
Don and Dorothy had eight children together one son and seven daughters. A devoted family man, Don spent many hours crafting toys for his children, tending to the large family garden, and taking his family on trips around Oregon, as well as back to Canada. Don and Dorothy were longtime members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Independence.
Don worked many years at the Monmouth Cooperative Warehouse, and retired in 1978 from Judson's Plumbing and Heating in Salem.
During their retirement, Don and Dorothy enjoyed spending winters in Arizona, gardening in Oregon, and spending time with their grandchildren. In his later years, Don enjoyed writing about his experiences growing up in Canada. He was known for his sense of humor, especially among his grandchildren, who he regularly entertained with his jokes and pranks.
Don is survived by his older brother Tom, son David (Sharon) Gibbons, daughters Linda Mans, Mildred Pickering, Catherine (Patrick) Woodward, Elaine (Gary) Woodward, Martha (Steven) Russell, Clare (Ron) Mangis, 21 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by Dorothy, his wife of 67 years, daughter Anita McIntosh, and granddaughter Anjuli Woodward.
A private service for family members has been scheduled. A graveside service is being planned for a later date.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald Deane Gibbons, please visit our flower store.
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