Burton James Gibbons was born in Toledo, Ohio on April 27, 1917.  He was the first born to Laura and Howard Gibbons.  He was analytical, a problem-solver, who was able to devise a solution for any kind of problem from helping his son learn to walk to creating extra storage space in his kitchen.

During his formative years he posed for his photographer father, rode bobsleds down the snowy hills of Toledo with his Uncle Ernest, played Coronet in a number of big bands during high school and college, and qualified for his pilot’s license in small planes.

He joined the Navy in early 1941 and was sent to Naval Air Station Pensacola where he earned his wings flying PBY Catalina sea planes.  He stayed in Pensacola during the early years of WW II training PBY pilots.  On his way to the Aleutians in 1943 he stopped by to see a high school friend, Betty Jane Locey, and the rest is history.

Their first child, Beverly Jo, was born May 29, 1946 followed by a son, Richard Alan on August 12, 1948.  The family was completed on October 15, 1952 with the arrival of Sally Jean.

Burt and Betty became actively involved in the Association for Retarded Children after a tragic event in 1949 left Ricky severely brain damaged.  Burt served as the association treasurer for many years.

Burt was proud of his work with ARC, Rotary, St. Paul’s Federated Church, and the Manteca Historical Society.  Burt will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend.

Services for Burt Gibbons are under the direction of PL Fry & Son Funeral Home, 290 N. Union Road, Manteca.  A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for Monday, November 28, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 910 E. North Street, Manteca followed by a reception in the
Fellowship Hall. Final resting place is private.  An online tribute wall is available at www.plfryandson.com search obituaries for messages of remembrance and condolence.

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Sunday, November 20, 2011