Obituary: Thomas Joseph Gibbs

Thomas Joseph Gibbs, age 85 of Clare, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 23, 2024 at the Horizon Senior Living Center of Clare. On March 10, 1939, Tom was born the son of Helen (Brick) Gibbs in Detroit, MI. He was united in marriage to Diane Jennings on March 14, 1969 in Clawson, MI. From 1965 to 1991, Tom served as an installer for the Michigan Bell Telephone Company. After his retirement from Michigan Bell in ’91, Tom started his second career as a proclaimed “Junk man”, having a love for buying, restoring, and selling antique tools and equipment across the state. Tom was a proud U.S. Marine, serving from 1956 to 1959, and never stopped his dedication to his physical activity, having made the marquee at the Clare Family Fitness Center for logging thousands of days in the gym well into his 80’s.
Tom is survived by his loving wife of fifty-five years Diane Gibbs of Clare. He is also survived by his daughter Bethany Gibbs of Big Rapids, his son Tom (Becky) Gibbs of Clare, his son-in-law Kevin Pape of Bellville, MI., his grandchildren Jenny (Pat) Thomas, Clint (Beth) Shattuck, Kelsey (Jeremy Smith) Shattuck, and Shawn and ZahLayah Pape, five great-grandchildren, and his sister Shirley Bell. He was preceded in death by his mother Helen Gibbs, his daughter Jennifer Pape, and his brother Jim Gibbs.
In keeping with Tom’s wishes, cremation has taken place with no services being planned. Online condolences may be shared on Tom’s tribute page at www.stephenson-wyman.com