Dr. John Gibbs LTCOL (Retired)
December 21, 1937 — March 27, 2011
Dr. John James Gibbs, LTCOL USA (Retired)
John J. Gibbs, a research chemist long employed with the Food and Drug Administration, died of complications from frontotemporal degeneration Sunday at Emmitsburg, Maryland. He was 73.
Raised in Baltimore and Washington, Dr. Gibbs was the son of Donald C. Gibbs and the former Mary Loretta McBride. He is survived by his wife Claryce Jane Gibbs of Woodsboro, MD and his son, Daniel P. Gibbs of Baltimore. Also survived by four cousins. He was a 1960 graduate of the College of William and Mary, received a degree in Chemistry and was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. A member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, he was commissioned as a second Lieutenant upon graduation from the College in 1960.
He then completed seven years of active duty, including tours in Germany and Viet Nam, and received an Army Commendation award, a Bronze Star and the Army Air Medal. Following active duty, he studied at Clemson University, graduating as a Doctor of Chemistry in 1974.
In subsequent years, Dr. Gibbs continued his service with the United States Army and was awarded an additional Army Commendation award. He retired from the Army Reserve after twenty years of service.
He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Frederick and maintained membership in the Reserve Officers Association as well as the 25th Infantry Association.
A history buff, Dr. Gibbs enjoyed visiting historic sites throughout the United States, particularly those related to military history and the War between the States. He enjoyed theatre and photography, often photographing the sites that he visited.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery; at present no date has been set. In lieu of floral expressions of sympathy, the family suggests donations in Dr. Gibbs’ memory to the Seton Legacy Garden, 333 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, Maryland or the Association for Frontotemporal Dementia, Radnor Station Building #2 Suite 200, 290 King of Prussia Road, Radnor, Penn’a. 19087.