Gerald Gibb

Gerald Gibb

Sterling, UT

Gerald Gibb — our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle — returned to the arms of his loving Heavenly Father on Friday, Dec. 22, 2017. He returned to his eternal home surrounded by his family and their great love. The love he had for them will be sorely missed even as it continues to live on in their hearts and in the legacy he leaves behind.

Gerald will be remembered for his open heart, open mind and his open home, ready at all times to provide a warm welcome for family and friends who came for a short visit, or who sometimes needed to stay longer during hard times.

Gerald was born Dec. 16, 1941, in Cardston, Alberta, Canada, to Fred and Helen Gibb. The family emigrated to Utah in 1949, eventually settling in Sevier County. Gerald, the fourth of 10 children, grew up in Redmond where he menaced school principals and bus drivers.

At 17 years old, he joined the U.S. Army, beginning 22 years of a military career. While serving in Alexandria, Virginia, he met the love of his life, Nellie Mary Miller. The couple were married on June 17, 1960, in Alexandria. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple on June 21, 1962.

Gerald talked only occasionally about certain parts of his military service, but the wall of his home on which a trove of medals and honors are displayed speaks volumes as to how profoundly he felt about his service to the nation: He was a dedicated American who held a fierce love for his country.

As a young soldier, Gerald served in Alexandria in the Old Guard. He took part in the funeral services for President John F. Kennedy, and stood guard over the assassinated president’s grave. Later, Gerald served as a crew chief in the 101st Airborne Division, and flew with the 571st Medical Detachment. He filled three tours in Vietnam, and also served in Korea (though not during the Korean Conflict).

After his final Vietnam tour, he served in Colorado Springs where, again with the 571st, he was part of one of the Army’s first MAST Units (Military Assistance to Safety and Traffic).

He also served in Germany and Kansas, where he retired from the Army in 1980. By the time of his retirement, he had received Three Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star with Valor, a Meritorious Service Medal and 26 Air Medals (one of those with Valor).

Gerald worked in the private sector for several more years in Utah before working again for the Army, this time as a private civilian, in Dugway, Utah, until 1990 when he and his family settled down for good in Sterling, Utah.

But, having attained a master’s degree in secondary education, Gerald again went to work. With the South Sanpete School District, he was a teacher at Sanpete Academy, the high school equivalency program at Central Utah Correctional Facility. Gerald retired — this time for real — in 2009.

Retirement gave him more time for the things he loved throughout his life, first and foremost his family. Perhaps a close second were the outdoors and his beloved Manti-La Sal mountains. Gerald almost felt more at home outdoors than indoors, camping, hunting and ATV riding at every opportunity and, as his health declined in later years, sometimes to the chagrin of his wife.

Gerald was a mentor to young men, serving as a Scout leader in every LDS ward he lived in as an adult except during Army deployments.

He was an excellent cook — even if he did burn the gravy from time to time — especially at the barbecue grill where delicious "pageant" turkey was often cooked. Sunday dinner, every Sunday until only recently, was his specialty. His generosity knew almost no bounds.

Preceding Gerald in death were his parents, Fred and Helen Gibb; brothers Walt and Jesse; and a grandson, Derrick Wettstein.

Surviving him are his wife, Nellie; children Gerald Mark Gibb (Kelly), Lori Gibb Wettstein (James), Eileen Gibb O’Brien (John), Jennifer Gibb Thurston, and Megan Gibb Greenwood (Ned); 24 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Viewing and visitation will be held Monday, Jan. 1, from 6-8 p.m., and Tuesday, Jan. 2, from 9:30-10:30 p.m., at the Sterling LDS Ward Building. Funeral services will be Tuesday, Jan. 2, at 11 a.m. in the Sterling LDS Ward Chapel. Interment will be in the Sterling City Cemetery. Funeral directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina, Manti. Online guestbook at maglebymortuary.com