Walter Joseph 'd4Joe'd5 Gibbons, 84
Walter Joseph 'd2Joe'd3 Gibbons, 84, passed away April 20, 2005, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls after a long battle with cancer. Joe was born Dec. 8th ,1920, in Kalispell to Walter S. and Ruby (Arndt) Gibbons. He attended school at Eureka and graduated from Lincoln County High School in 1940.
He then continued his education at Northern Montana College-Havre and Montana State University-Bozeman until enlisting in the Army Air Corps. He spent time at various air bases, but primarily in Florida overseeing preparations of B-29s and B-17s for service in World War II. After his military service Joe returned to Bozeman to complete his degree in mechanical engineering in 1948.
Joe met his wife, Carol, at college and married in 1949 after her graduation. He worked for J.I. Case as a territory supervisor for a number of years before returning to Eureka to work with his father in the family business, Gibbons'd5 Garage, which was started in 1923. It was a franchised Chevrolet dealership from 1949 to 1994. Joe received recognition from Chevrolet for more than 25 years of continuous service and sales. Then the business became a used vehicle, sales and service repair shop, that his son, Walter, manages. The family business has served the community for over 82 years.
Joe was a lover of flying and used this skill for both business and pleasure for more than 30 years. He was a charter member of the Eureka Lions Club, served on the Eureka School boards, Tobacco Valley Economic Development Council, the Eureka Town Council; was a member of the American Legion and a life member of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church.
In 1977 the Tobacco Valley Improvement Association Community Service Award was presented to him, and in 2002 he was inducted into their Hall of Fame. Joe was also referred to as the 'd2 walking historian'd3 of the valley for his memories of people, businesses and happenings in the community. He was a mentor to many young people throughout the valley during his life and will be greatly missed!
Joe is survived by his wife, Carol; daughter, Jo Ann Raphele, of Bozeman; son, Walter and Connie, and grandchildren, Katie, Angie and John, of Eureka; daughter, Lois and Brad Benedict of Katy Texas, and grandchildren Brian and Michael; daughter, Lorell and Gary Reese, and grandchildren Keegan and Kelsey of Columbia Falls; sister, Patricia Rosenthal, of Southern Pines, N.C.; niece, Winifred; brothers, John Gibbons of Los Angeles, and James Gibbons and wife, Beverley, of Redmond, Wash.; nieces, Linda and Nancy; and nephew, Jim Gibbons.
The family suggest memorials to the charity of your choice.
Interment will be at a later date.