James Michael Gibson, 61

James Michael “Mike” Gibson, 61, of Columbia Falls, passed away on Monday, Feb. 13, 2017, in his home surrounded by his loved ones after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Mike was born on Sept. 30, 1955, in Libby to Al and Lucille Gibson, the youngest of four children. He was raised in Troy and graduated from Troy High School in 1973.

He married the love of his life, Carolyn Bauer, in 1977. They moved to Columbia Falls in 1978 where Mike started working at the Anaconda Aluminum plant. He worked there until its closure.

He was the proud father of three children, Mickie, Lindsay and Dustin Gibson. He loved spending time with his family and was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also played football, basketball and ran track while in high school, and enjoyed watching his kids play sports.

Mike knew no stranger and had a magnetic personality that impacted everyone he met. He was always willing to tell a hunting story or talk sports. Even after his children graduated he enjoyed watching the Wildcats and often attended sporting events.

Mike will be missed every day by his family and many friends, but he will live on forever through his humor and the positive impact he had on everyone he met throughout his amazing life.

Mike was preceded in death by his mom and dad, Al and Lucille Gibson, and his brother-in-law Pat Burk.

He is survived by his loving wife, Carolyn Gibson; and his three children, Jeff and Mickie (Gibson) Pearson of Okinawa, Japan, Omar and Lindsay (Gibson) Barroso of the Mountain Warfare Training Center, California, and Dustin and Amber Gibson of Columbia Falls; and five grandchildren, Kyleigh, Kaleb, Kollyns and Kynsley Pearson, and Emmanuelle Barroso. He is also survived by a brother, Steve, and Merry Ann Gibson, of Newport, Washington; and two sisters, Jeanne (Gibson) Burk of Trout Creek, and Chad and Marcia (Gibson) Trenkle of Columbia Falls.

A memorial service for James will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18, at the First Baptist Church, 827 Ninth St. W., Columbia Falls.

Columbia Mortuary is caring for James’ family.