Harold Eugene Gibbens

Harold Eugene Gibbens of Emporia died on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at his home.  He was 101.  Harold was born on May 17, 1923, in Stafford, Kansas, the son of John I. and Faye Reid Gibbens.  He married Marianna E. Jackson on May 22, 1948, at the Calvary Methodist Church in Wichita.

Surviving family members include wife, Marianna E. Gibbens; sons, Dale W. (Sheryll) Gibbens of Andover, Kansas, and David A. (Alison) Gibbens of Castle Pines, Colorado; grandchildren, Jennifer Dieker, Brett Gibbens, David Gibbens, Rebecca Gibbens, and Christopher Gibbens; great-grandsons, Ryan Dieker, Drew Dieker, Hayden Gibbens, Mason Gibbens, Camden Gibbens, Collin Gibbens, Silas Gibbens, and Finley Gibbens.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Dillard Gibbens, John Gibbens, and Lucille Norris.

Harold graduated from Ness City High School.  He joined the Army in 1943 and was accepted into the Accelerated Specialized Training Program to study engineering at the University of Wyoming.  The program was cancelled after one year and he was moved into the 66th Infantry Division (Anti-Tank Company 262nd Regiment) where he served in the European Theater during WWII. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Ball-McColm Post #5, American Legion and the Emporia Masonic Lodge #12.

Harold moved to Emporia in 1957 where he worked at Didde - Graphics as a Tooling Engineer until his retirement in 1984.  During retirement he enjoyed traveling, golfing, volunteering in the community and attending his grandkids and great grandkids sporting events as well as his daily Spangles coffee group.  Harold’s unique sense of humor will be missed.

Private graveside services have taken place with Military Honors by Ball-McColm Post #5, American Legion and Lowry-Funston Post #1980, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Emporia.  The Celebration of Life service will be held later this summer.  Memorial contributions to Hand in Hand Hospice or the First United Methodist Church can be sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 175, Emporia, Kansas 66801.