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George Williams Gibbs, III, of Jacksonville, Florida died October 10, 2020 from complications of Lewy body dementia. He was born December 21, 1936 in Jacksonville to Jean Blount Gibbs and George Williams Gibbs, Jr. He was predeceased by his parents and his two sons, George Williams Gibbs, IV, and Francis Boll Gibbs.
Descending from a long line of Jacksonville natives and shipbuilders, George was immersed in the industry from an early age, working for his father's and grandfather's companies, Gibbs Shipyard and Southern Shipbuilding. Both companies, and later George's companies, Atlantic Marine and Atlantic Dry Dock, provided critical industrial infrastructure to downtown Jacksonville, Mayport and Fort George Island. At the age of 27, in 1964, George followed his dream of forming his own shipyard, Atlantic Marine, on Fort George Island. During its early years, Atlantic Marine mainly built steel-hulled fishing boats. As the company grew, Atlantic Marine expanded its capability and expertise to include aluminum patrol and steel research vessels, tugboats, ferries and supply boats. Notably, the company was one of the first shipyards in the country to build casino boats. The company also built two shuttle-booster retrieval ships for NASA — the Liberty Star and the Freedom Star.
In 1966, George expanded the business to include Atlantic Dry Dock, and he sought to provide the best in ship repair and conversion. Atlantic Dry Dock performed hundreds of overhauls on US Navy vessels ranging from small minesweepers to mighty aircraft carriers, including the USS Forrestal and USS Saratoga. George's work culminated in the largest reconstruction job ever performed outside a Navy shipyard on the USS Kennedy. Following the successful conversion of the Miami yacht, The Floridian, the mega-yacht world discovered Atlantic Dry Dock, which led to many other successful overhauls.
With his sharp business acumen, George continued to expand his shipyard business in 1990, by acquiring ADDSCO, a shipyard facility in Mobile, Alabama. Under George's leadership, the new construction shipyard, renamed Alabama Shipyard and the repair shipyard, renamed Atlantic Marine-Mobile, greatly expanded their services. Atlantic Marine-Mobile added an 853-foot dry dock capable of lifting 40,000 tons. This addition enabled the company to work on some of the largest ships in the world such as Royal Caribbean's Monarch of the Seas and Carnival's Imagination. Meanwhile, Alabama Shipyard built a variety of new vessels, including an offshore drilling unit, semi-submersible pontoons, deep-sea rescue vessels and various precipitator units for electric power companies, drill barges and chemical carriers.
Under his quiet and strategic leadership, his companies became highly successful. Over the years, the companies became globally recognized for their careful consideration of each customer's time schedule and budget considerations. Careful attention to the customers' needs resulted in considerable repeat business over the years. In total, Atlantic Marine built around 350 new construction vessels for businesses all over the world, including throughout Asia, Europe and South America. During Atlantic Marine's peak, the two locations had over 3,000 employees. In 2006, George sold the shipyards to a private equity firm, J. F. Lehman and Company. In 2010, BAE, a large defense contractor, acquired the shipyards from the Lehman group. They continue to operate in Jacksonville.
In addition to his own business enterprises, he was deeply involved in Jacksonville's broader business and civic community. In 1982, he served as the Vice-President of Business and Industry for the Chamber of Commerce, and he later served on the boards of Jacksonville Federal Reserve, the James Madison Institute and the Episcopal School of Jacksonville. In 2000, he was named the Propeller Club's Maritime Person of the Year.
George never took for granted the business environment that allowed him to create his own success through his entrepreneurial endeavors and firmly believed in maintaining these opportunities for generations to come. In this vein, George supported several organizations that upheld his belief that the free market system must be preserved and that the government that "governs least, governs best." He became involved with many organizations that supported these beliefs, including the American Enterprise Institute, CATO, the Institute of Humane Studies, the Mercatus Center, and the James Madison Institute.
In addition to spending his workdays around boats, George's favorite past time activities always involved being close to the water. He was an avid sailor his entire life and owned many sailboats and trawler boats, which he enjoyed maintaining as much as he did sailing. While he explored many areas via sailboat, he was always drawn to cruising the Bahamas and the British Virgin Islands.
George Gibbs is survived by his wife of 35 years, Ann Darden Gibbs; four children: Catherine Jean Gibbs of Seacrest Beach, Florida; Robert Kingsley Gibbs (Melinda) of Jacksonville Beach; Ann Thompson Gibbs of Ponte Vedra Beach; and Elizabeth Stockton Gibbs Tanzler (Hans) of Jacksonville. His seven grandchildren include Celeste Dodrill (Leonard), Tucker Juan, Anna Giampetro, Cullen Giampetro, Robert Gibbs, Jr., Couper Gibbs and Riley Gibbs. His great-grandchildren include John and William Dodrill.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in George's memory to St. Mark's Episcopal Church, the Episcopal School of Jacksonville or the James Madison Institute.
Due to the COVID pandemic, the funeral services will be held privately. The family welcomes visitors to join them to celebrate George's life at The Florida Yacht Club on Wednesday, October 14 between 2:00 and 4:00 pm.
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How loud the silence ...
Rosalee Reddick and Patt Grable
Friend
December 2, 2020
The consummate patriarch, and always a gentlemen and great host to his children's many friends, which I was fortunate to be one of. My deepest condolences to you all, Ann, Ann, Robert and your families. May his memory be a blessing always.
Lauri-Ellen Smith
Friend
November 2, 2020
I had a Great Career working for Mr. Gibbs, Atlantic Drydock Corp. & Atlantic Marine Inc. He will be missed.
My Prayers Lifted Up for the Family.
Jim Hinchee
Coworker
October 17, 2020
I did not know George very well but met him in our Rock Steady Boxing classes. He was always smiling and had a great sense of humor. I will remember him for his upbeat attitude and his smiles, which was always appreciated, especially for those of us in the Rock Steady program. I will keep him and his family in my thoughts and prayers.
Kathy Chance
Acquaintance
October 17, 2020
I was always amazed at the empire Mr. Gibbs built. He created good jobs for many, many people. I loved working for him as Senior Dockmaster at Atlantic Dry Dock. My condolences to his family.
Stephen Kolb
October 17, 2020
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Joseph N Bellinger Jr
Coworker
October 15, 2020
I am deeply saddened to learn of Mr. Gibbs passing. I loved working with Mr. Gibbs on his different boat projects and always admired him for his passion to make his boats perfect. He was truly one of kind.....
Bob and Sonya Simmons
Friend
October 14, 2020
It was a pleasure to work for Mr. Gibbs in the estimating department at Atlantic Marine Mobile. My prayers go out to the Gibbs family.
Eric Simons
Coworker
October 14, 2020
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Jim Konopasek
Coworker
October 13, 2020
So sorry for your loss. George Gibbs was great person and a great mentor, he will be missed by many.
Dave Jonis
Coworker
October 13, 2020
Mr. Gibbs was a great man. Everyone respected you and enjoyed working for you. I appreciate the opportunity you gave me in this industry and the lesson I learned from you. Our prayers and thoughts go out to your family.
Steve Monson
Coworker
October 13, 2020
My sympathies to Robert Gibbs and the entire Gibbs family.
Doug Sasser
Doug Sasser
Friend
October 12, 2020
Mr. Gibbs always treated all of us with respect and would take time to talk with any of us he came across while driving his golf cart around Atlantic Mobile
Jay cushman
Coworker
October 12, 2020
George always took care of his employees. It was an honor to work for him 20 years in the Mobile Alabama shipyard.
Charlie Rice
Coworker
October 12, 2020
A great man of profound integrity who provided job opportunities for thousands of hard working shipyard professionals. I will always miss my Saturday “leadership”lectures!
Bill Clifford
Coworker
October 12, 2020
This tribute of his life and how he shared his passion is a wonderful legacy he leaves behind. You are in our thoughts and prayers, God bless!
Donna and Carson Eddings
October 12, 2020
I am Thankful to have had the pleasure to work for Mr. Gibbs one of the finest Men I have ever worked for.
John Hadden
Coworker
October 12, 2020
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
John Hammonds
Friend
October 11, 2020
To a man I still respect and admire. G-3 taught me the meaning of respect for the customer and taking pride in your work. He truly cared for all of us at AMI and ADD. My prayers to his family. God Bless you sir.
Edward Giana
Coworker
October 11, 2020
George had a gentle and quiet soul. It was a pleasure to know him and experience his laugh. Thoughts and prayers go out to Ann and family.
Lynn Hackstock
October 11, 2020
George Gibbs will always be a man that I hold in high regards and have the utmost respect for. My condolences to his friends and family. Here's to you George Gibbs may you RIP.
Sylvia King
Coworker
October 11, 2020
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. You was a great person to work for you took care of your employee's, so may you RIP and God bless.
Roger Flowers
Coworker
October 10, 2020
George gave me my first job once I left the military. I owe everything I know abut the shipyard business to him and the chance he gave me.
Jon Lundgren
Coworker
October 10, 2020
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