Bobby Jackson (Jackie) Gibbs died at home, on November 10, 2021, with his loving wife of 46 years, Melinda by his side. Jack was a devoted husband, father, educator, a mentor to many, and a friend to all. Born August 8, 1954, in Savannah, Georgia to the late Rufus Van Gibbs Sr. and Lila Mae Clark Gibbs, Jack was a storyteller and adventurer to the end. He loved the outdoors; especially fishing on the Oconee River. Nothing gave him greater pleasure than sitting around a sandbar campfire talking about past adventures or spinning tall tells. He especially loved to tell stories to the younger men and boys who looked up to him.
Jack was a man of many facets. He faithfully served his country from 1972 to 1979 as an enlisted man in the United States Army. He served in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg NC along with his brother, and some of his closest friends. Later, he was an instructor at ICO Hall at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. For the rest of his life, he was hooked as an educator. He always felt one of his greatest accomplishments was teaching at the Tri-County Alternative School, in Glenwood, Georgia where he was a positive influence on so many lives.
Jack, loved to garden. Especially growing corn and potatoes which he gave to friends and family. He was a great storyteller, and an excellent poet. He started writing poetry to learn how to write creatively. Over the years, he penned poems that would rival any of the well-know nineteenth century poets in scope and depth.
Always one to pursue knowledge, he studied the dictionary and loved to play games with his wife. He would ask her to find a word in the dictionary he couldn’t define. He always won the game. In his last year, he loved to read books written in Spanish.
He is preceded in death, by his brother, and army companion, Rufus Van Gibbs Jr.
Survivors include his wife, Melinda McDaniel Gibbs, of Mt. Vernon, GA, daughters Terra (Jason) Jackson of Vidalia, GA, and Michelle (Patrick) Gibson of Maricopa, AZ, sister Gloria Douglas of Warner Robbins, brother James Lowther of Glenwood, six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family would like to thanks Community Hospice, Vidalia GA for their love and care during Jack’s extended illness. He always looked forward to their visits especially those of Lindsey, Donna, and Missy.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions, may be made to the PKD foundation.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00.
The funeral service will Wednesday, November 17th, at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home with Reverend Donny Brown officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Vernon Memorial Cemetery with Military Honors.
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