Richard Dean Gibbons

With profound sadness we announce the death of Richard Dean Gibbons, 77, of Ocala, FL. He passed peacefully from this earthly life on March 18, 2025. Richard was born January 26, 1948 to Ernest O. and Agnes L. (Smith) Gibbons in Lafayette, IN. He was their third child and only son. The family relocated to the Buffalo, NY area in 1950. Richard graduated from Grand Island HS in 1966, then attended Kent State, OH. Later, he attended NCCC through the General Motors apprenticeship program and finally retired G.M. from Saturn Corp. He then achieved HVAC certification and worked in the Ocala, FL community for another 10 years. Richard married his soulmate Lois Kathleen (Simpson) on October 26, 1968. They have celebrated 56 wonderful years. Together, they shared many hobbies and adventures including camping, hunting, fishing, marksmanship, darts, motorcycles, dancing and SCUBA diving. Dad (Papa) always shared his passions and talents with his daughters and grandchildren. Richard is survived by his beloved wife Lois, daughters Holly Weigold and Stephanie (Michael) Krug, grandchildren Erick, Leighandra, Naomi and Trevor, sister Mary Elizabeth Kirchue, sister-in-law Jeanette (Simpson) Tymosiak, four nieces and a nephew. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Ellen Jodison. A memorial funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, March 29, 2025, 10:00 am at Southwest Christian Church in Ocala, FL. Family and friends are encouraged to attend to both celebrate Richard's wonderful life and grieve together his passing. Charitable donations in Richard's name can be made to Hospice of Marion County and Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. Both organizations, along with their superb doctors and nurses, helped prolong his life and eased our family through the end.