CHARLES W. "JR" GIBBS

1940 - 2011

Charles W. "Jr." Gibbs, age 70, passed away at his home, with his wife by his side on Wednesday, March 30, 2011.

He was born on December 30, 1940 in Sylva, North Carolina, the only son of six children of Charlie & Bertha (Ammons) Gibbs.

In 1946 at the age of 5 he moved with his family to Washington, settling in the Skagit Valley.

Charlie attended school in Clear Lake and Sedro-Woolley, graduating from Sedro-Woolley High School with the class of 1959.

On June 9, 1961 he was united in marriage to Dorothy Ensley at the Lyman Baptist Church. Together they had two children, Cheryl and Wes.

Charlie was employed as a plumber and pipe fitter for 35 years. He worked for Snelson & Company for 23 years and later at Seattle City Light, retiring in 2002.

Charlie enjoyed auto racing! From 1968 until 1979 he raced at Skagit Speedway, Sky Valley and Elma Speedway. Awards such as Rookie of the Year, Sportsmanship, track records, craftsmanship and track championships were some of his many accomplishments. After retiring from racing, Charlie and Dorothy enjoyed riding their motorcycle and many trips on their boat. He also enjoyed painting, fishing, gardening and spending time with his grandchildren.

Charlie is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Dorothy at the family home; his daughter, Cheryl Taylor of Sedro-Woolley and his son, Wes Gibbs and his wife, Tracie of Newberg, Oregon; five grandchildren, Ryan Taylor and his fiancé Cayla, Lindsie Taylor, and Kelsey Gibbs all of Sedro-Woolley and Elijah & Emma Gibbs of Newberg, OR, and one step-granddaughter, Jossalyn Nielsen of Kirkland, WA; four sisters, Jean Hill and husband Butch of Mount Vernon, Bertha Rogers and husband Chuck of Conway, Kathy Gallagher of Sedro-Woolley and Marti Queen and husband Dub of Burlington; and numerous nieces and nephews and cousins; a brother-in-law, Ernie Adams of Sedro-Woolley; two sisters-in-law, Carolyn Coble and husband Dennis of Samish Island and Jan Massey and husband Steve of Sedro-Woolley.

He was preceded in death by his father, Charlie in 1991; his mother, Bertha in 2010; a sister, Edith Adams in 2010 and two brothers-in-law, Chuck Gallagher in 2009 and Robert Ensley in 1998.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Kuan, Trish, and all the staff at the Skagit Valley Kidney Center.

Memorials are suggested to the Skagit Valley Kidney Center, 1415 E. Kincaid, Mount Vernon, WA 98274 or the American Diabetes Association.

Graveside Services will be held on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 2:00 pm at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery with Pastor John Batts of the First Baptist Church in Clear Lake officiating. A fellowship will follow the service at the Sedro-Woolley Community Center.

Visitation will be available at Lemley Chapel on Monday from 9am to 5pm and on Tuesday from 9am to noon. Share memories of Charlie and sign the online guest register at www.lemleychapel.com