GEORGE ELBY HIBDON

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Orland High School

GEORGE HIBDON Obituary

GEORGE ELBY HIBDON

George Elby Hibdon passed away on Monday, June 15, 2009 at Enloe Hospital after a brief illness (pneumonia). He was born on February 29, 1920 (the 6th of 8 children) to George Henry and Mattie Hibdon in Kenefec Oklahoma.

After leaving Texas, the family moved to Orland in 1938. He graduated from Orland High School in 1939.

At the age of 89, and married 65 years, George is survived by his loving wife, Elsie Luffman Hibdon; sons, Greg (Maria) and Alan Hibdon; grandchildren, Thomas and Lisa; sister, Beth Jasper and brother, Ray Hibdon of Orland. George was preceded in death by siblings, Floyd, Roxie, Curtis, Jimmy, and Travis.

Many friends and family have all been blessed by George being a part of their lives. George will be long remembered for his friendliness, willingness to serve, and his love of teaching and the outdoors. He thoroughly enjoyed family, hunting, fishing, games, sports, and his retirement.

George met Elsie Luffman at a USO dance in Ocala, Florida in 1942, and in 1943 they married. He served proudly in the Army from 1942 to 1946 and was stationed in Florida, Louisiana, and the Philippines. He was a radar operator and served in an intelligence unit in the Philippines.

George received his Bachelor of Arts degree from CSU Chico in 1950. He was a teacher and elementary school administrator for Chico Unified School District for 29 years at Shasta Union, Oakdale, Marigold, and Rosedale Elementary schools.

George was a president, Lion of the Year several times, and the last charter member of the Chico Breakfast Lion's Club with 55 years perfect attendance and serving on a project as recently as May. He was also an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Phi Delta Kappa (president), SIRS 110, and California Retired Teachers.

A Memorial service for George will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church on Sunday June 28, 2009 at 4 p.m. A public viewing will be held on Friday, June 19, 2009 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Bidwell Chapel at 3rd and Normal in Chico. There will be a private, family burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, Chico Breakfast Lion's Club, or a charity of your choice in care of Brusie Funeral Home. View obituary and send condolences online at www.BrusieFH.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by St. Cloud Times from Jun. 17 to Jun. 18, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for GEORGE HIBDON

9 Entries

Earl Steinmetz

October 15, 2017

There was not a finer man than George. He had a heart of gold!!

Gary & Cindy Mitchell

June 27, 2009

George was an inspiration to all he came in contact with. He was always willing to help anyone, and was a Great man to have known. He will always
be in our thoughts. I will miss him at our Chico Breakfast Lions events.

Marshall Gregory

June 24, 2009

My wife and I moved in across the street from George and Elsie when we were first married, December 1975. George welcommed us to the neighborhood and we were soon good friends. He took me striper fishing on the river. He was a great neighbor and friend. I feel honored to have known such a wonderful man.

Jack Brown

June 19, 2009

Mr Hibdon was a great teacher and principal. I remember him from Shasta grammer school where I first started school.

June 19, 2009

My uncle was the most amazing man I've known. I would have chosen him for my father if I
had a choice! He was a huge influence on me...encouraging
me, bragging on me, loving me
no matter what and he was just as proud of me as I was of him. I believe my life will
never be the same w/o him. God
doesn't make men like him everyday. Love, Annette

Lisa Garrett Thompson

June 18, 2009

Mr. Hibdon was a wonderful principal and I have very fond memories of him during my elementary years at Rosedale Elementary School!

Michael Morrison

June 17, 2009

Uncle George was a man that I have always aspired to model myself after. His balance of humor, sensitivity, strength and a love of life was and will continue to be inspirational.

Pam & Steve Runner

June 17, 2009

George was such an inspiration to people to get involved with the community and to share information and teach the children about things you know. He loved to talk about his silk worms and teach the children about them. He always shared stories of his past but most of all his life was an example of how working for your community could make it a better place.

Judy Anderson Lou

June 17, 2009

Mr. Hibdon was instrumental in many students lives as our teacher and later as the principal to our childrens school. He was a caring person that never forgot his friends.

He worked the fire lines with my dad before a CFD was ever created. I still remember his stories of making hula skirts out of parachutes while serving on a ship during WWII and of watching the Hendinberg blimp burst into flames and come down in a field when he was a little kid. He was a wealth of history and he will be remembered by all that were lucky enough to know him. Sincere best wishes to his family.

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