Thomas William Gibbons

Thomas William Gibbons
June 8, 1911 - July 6, 2014
Tom Gibbons passed away in his Independence home on July 6 at the age of 103 and 28 days. Tom was born in Burwell (Garfield County) Nebraska, and moved with his family as a young (about age three) child to Blackfalds, Alberta, Canada. He attended school there graduating from Lacombe High School in 1930. He received his Teaching Degree from Camrose Normal School at Camrose, Alberta, Canada.
Tom married Jessie Margaret Fernie on March 24, 1937. Maureen was born on May 23, 1938, and Dennis was born on January 20, 1943. Tom and Jessie farmed in Alberta until 1947 when they moved to Talmadge Road in Independence, Oregon. Two children were born after moving to the United States, Marilyn on August 11, 1949, and Brian on December 14, 1955.
In Oregon Tom worked as an electrician for a short period of time and then went to work for Monmouth Brick and Tile. His employment there consisted of making clay tile that was used for field drainage, firing the kilns for make the tile, and finally as the equipment operator of the ditching machine that cut a path in the ground for the file to be laid.
After leaving the Monmouth Brick and Tile plant, Tom went to work for the Central School District in Independence and worked as the lead custodian at Talmadge Middle School until his retirement.
Tom loved the outdoors and mowed all his lawns, trimmed trees, did all maintenance around his home and was even chopping wood for the fireplace at age 98. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Independence, the Odd Fellows Lodge, and the Monmouth Grange. He was involved in any and all outdoor activities, and could be counted on for any maintenance and repair work at the church.
Tom was preceded in death by his wife Jessie; brothers Harley and Donald; and sisters Zella, Elsie, Wilma, Edith, Althea, Susie, and Doris. He is survived by daughter Maureen (William) Rowe of Independence; son Dennis (Gloria) Gibbons of Lincoln, California; daughter Marilyn (Harold) Hoeckle of Monmouth; son Brian L. Gibbons of Independence; seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held Friday, July 11, 10 am at Fir Crest Cemetery. Farnstrom Mortuary is handling arrangements. Memories, photos and condolences at FarnstromMortuary.com.