Val Gibbs

Val Roy Gibbs, 83, of Safford, entered into eternal rest and into our Heavenly Father's care Wednesday, January 27, 2016. Val was born December 15, 1932 in Hyrum, Utah to Essie Morris Gibbs and Mattie Andersen Gibbs.He met and married Elva "Loi" Wille and they were blessed with four children; Valorie Lyn, Wyn Christian "Chris", JaNae and Garth B.Val served honorably in the U.S. Air Force for four years with assignments in Colorado, the Territory of Alaska, and Florida. He then worked five years for Standard Oil Company in the early years of computer development. Val decided office work and the indoors were too confining. He enrolled at Utah State University, Logan, Utah, majoring in Forestry / Range Management, graduating in 1963. The U.S. Forest Service immediately hired him as an Assistant District Ranger.Val loved the Forest Service and wide-open spaces. He excelled as a ranger over his 30-year career. Postings included: Randolf, Utah; Ely, Nevada; Dubois, Idaho; Wells, Nevada; Challis, Idaho; and St. Anthony, Idaho. Val also served as a Logistics Boss for many years on USFS Regional Fire Teams and several years on the National Fire Overhead Teams. He was acknowledged throughout the western region of the Forest Service as a range management specialist and testified as an expert before a Congressional committee.Val and Loi served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Georgia after retirement. Soon after the mission, they moved with son, Chris, to Germany for 18 months to assist with his family. Val loved traveling and seeing new places. He said it was a good thing, since Val and Loi lived in 57 different homes during their marriage.Val was an honest, loving, and gentle man. He loved his family and never missed a chance to teach by example. He always seemed to have a twinkle in his eye and loved a good joke. His legacy of service to others lives on in his children and grandchildren.He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Loi Wille Gibbs; four children, Valorie Lyn Gibbs (Harold) Whitman of LaBarge, Wyoming, Wyn Christian "Chris" (Deborah) Gibbs of Safford, JaNae (Kevin) Gibbs Cotham of Taylorsville, Utah, and Garth B. Gibbs of Safford; 22 grandchildren; and 44 great-grandchildren. Val is also survived by five siblings: Loa Gibbs, Gail Gibbs, E. Ross Gibbs, LaRue Hathhorn, and Cora Jane Hainline.A viewing will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Solomon Chapel with the funeral services beginning at 11:00 am.