Carlsbad N.M. – 1SG Thomas Franklin Gibbs, Jr. (Retired), 58, died June 21, 2002 at Carlsbad Medical Center.
Tom was born July 3, 1943 to the late Thomas F. Gibbs, Sr. and Wilmoth Whitlow Gibbs. He was preceded in death by his wife of over 20 years, Melody Ann Gibbs. Her passing in February 2002 had a profound affect on his health. He is survived by his three brothers and their families. He is also survived by his daughter L Gibbs Kidd and her husband Michael. He showed a great love and affection for the family of his late wife, always believing that blood wasn’t as strong of a bond as love. Melody’s sister and brother-in-law Pat and John Thompson has a special place in his heart. He will be greatly missed.
Tom was raised in Floyd County, Virginia and a graduate of Floyd County High School. After graduation he joined the US Marine Corps and served in Viet Nam. After his enlistment with the Marines was up he returned home to Virginia only to find himself back in the US Armed Forces, this time with the US ARMY. He served his country for over 20 years. After retiring from the Army in 1991 he settled in Floyd County with his wife and lived and worked for over 10 years. In November 2001 he and his wife moved to Carlsbad, New Mexico. Shortly after her death he was diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Bladder Cancer.
A simple private service at the residence was held for family and friends. We scattered his ashes in the same desert where his wife’s spirit soars so that they may be reunited. Tom was a spiritual man who believed that Church was a building and he didn’t need to be there to talk to God.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in the name of Thomas Gibbs to the Vista Care Family Hospice, 611 N. Canal St., Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220, would be greatly appreciated. Their compassion and care for Tom was the only thing that brought him peace in his final days. Without their help and support his quality of life would not have been as good as it was and his final moments would have been spent in agony and despair. We are especially grateful for their compassion and kindness. Without the staff at Vista Care she would not have been able to care for Tom all of those weeks alone at home. There are no words that can convey the family’s appreciation for all that Vista Care nurses, doctors and staff did for him. We would like to honor his memory by helping other families in need through Vista Care Family Hospice.