Wilford "Buck" H. Gribble

Wilford H. "Buck" Gribble, Jr., devoted and beloved husband, father, grandfather passed away peacefully at home in Rancho Mirage on February 27, 2026, surrounded by his children following health complications. He was 92.

Buck was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1933 and raised in Edina, Minnesota where he grew up during the depression. He established a strong sense of discipline and work ethic at an early stage, which continued to define him throughout his life. He attended Shattuck Military Academy and later studied at the University of Minnesota.

After college Buck moved to Long Beach California with his Minnesota friends where he met Betty Sue Pettijohn and they married in 1957. Their first son Wilford Hugh Gribble, III (Barry) was born and they then moved to Kailua Hawaii where their second son Brad was born. While in Hawaii Buck worked directly under Maurice "Sully" Sullivan the founder of Foodland as it was being established as Hawaii's first modern supermarket. Buck oversaw multiple Oahu Foodland stores for Sully. He subsequently relocated his expanding family to Rochester, New York, where his son Greg and daughter Dana were born. He worked for Johnson & Johnson at this time. He then moved to Yorba Linda California in 1966 and bought his first house.

An entrepreneur at heart, after moving to California in 1966 Buck started his first business with his father, Wilford H. Gribble Sr. (Will), his mother Lucille (Snedager), and brother, Mike Gribble, in the Colortype business in Anaheim, California. Later, in 1986, Buck founded a Jack in the Box franchise group that ultimately grew to 15 restaurants where he was greatly respected and revered by his employees as Buck typically started his workdays seven days a week at 5:00 am and he was known for his kind, gentle and caring manner. Through perseverance and steady compassionate leadership, he built his business before successfully selling it in 2025. In recognition of his decades of commitment and excellence, he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by his peers in the Jack of the Box franchise group for his leadership and achievements.

While proud of his professional accomplishments, Buck's greatest satisfaction came from his family. His memory is cherished by his children: Wilford H. III (Barry); Bradley (Thu Nguyen); Greg (the late LaVeta); and Dana Gribble (James Lentini).

Buck was a proud grandfather to seven grandchildren: Luke, Noah, and Evalina (children of Dana and James), Brandon, Jessica and Kyle (children of Bradley and Thu); and Brent and Tara (children of Greg and LaVeta). Each brought him great pride and lasting joy.

Buck will be remembered by his family and many dear friends for his steady character, strong discipline, and devotion. He believed in hard work and in caring for those entrusted to him. His life stands as a testament to perseverance, faithfulness, and quiet strength.

Buck had a passion for people, maintaining lifelong friendships with childhood friends and many people whose lives he shared and touched through the years. He was particularly passionate about mentoring and supporting young people in pursuing their dreams in life through perseverance, love, and passion for life and family.

The family requests that memorial donations in honor of Buck Gribble be made to the Legacy Scholarship established in his name. Contributions may be made at: Connect.molloy.edu/legacyscholarship