Submitted by
Ruth M. Brown
Robert
Woodrow Gibbs Sr.
February
7, 1913 – March 1, 2006
Birth: February 7, 1913
Rosebud, Falls County, Texas
Death: March
1, 2006
Eddy, McLennan County, Texas
Burial: Eddy
Cemetery
At Falls
County & McLennan County Lines
Robert
Woodrow Gibbs, Sr.
Robert was the son of Robert K. and
Willie Lucas Gibbs. He was active in his community and in his church. He was a
member of the Baptist church and was raised to Master Mason in the Rosebud
Masonic Lodge on Oct. 29, 1936. He was honored to receive the sixty year award
for membership from the lodge.
During World War II, Sgt. R. W.
Gibbs, Sr. served with honor and distinction in Europe where he was a member of
the 552nd Anti-Aircraft Battalion that landed in Normandy on D-plus 8 and later
become the first complete anti-aircraft battalion to cross the Rhine River at
Ramagen bridgehead.
He saw extensive service in
Normandy, St. Lo, Verviers and the Battle of the Bulge. His service ended after
his battalion lent support to the 78th Infantry Division in the Ruhr area. For
his meritorious service in connection with military operations and his
exemplary display of efficiency and leadership under the most trying
conditions, Sgt. Gibbs was give the Bronze Star Award, five campaign Stars,
American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and one
Silver Service star, Honorable Service Lapel button WWII and the Good Conduct
Medal.
Robert was preceded in death by his
parents; brothers, Joseph Weldon Gibbs, William Gaston Gibbs, Clifford Gibbs,
Garland Gillis Gibbs, and twin sister, Kathrine Gibbs Soto.
Survivors include his loving wife,
Jimmie Gibbs, of Eddy; sons, Robert W. Gibbs, Jr. and wife, Shelley
Sekula-Gibbs, M.D., of Houston, Charles W. Gibbs, Sr. and wife, Clemmie, of
Spring, Texas; stepdaughter, Lisa Mooring, of Amarillo; six grandchildren; and
eight great-grandchildren.