Norman Tibbetts

Anchorage resident Norman Tibbetts, 82, died July 11, 2009, at home of natural causes. A memorial service will be 6-8 p.m. Monday at Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel on Klatt Road. A funeral Mass will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Holy Family Cathedral with Father Vincent Kelber officiating. Burial will be at Angelus Memorial Park. Active pallbearers include Greg Tibbetts, Ken Tibbetts, Norman Tibbetts, Perry Duffy, Patrick Metcalf and Jerome Ross. Mr. Tibbetts was born Aug. 3, 1926, in Los Angeles. At age 17, he enlisted in the Navy during World War II and was stationed in Hawaii. After the war, he earned his GED and married his lifelong love, Celeste Lunenschloss. He moved to Naknek in 1956 and his family followed. He began his flying career in Bristol Bay. In 1965, he moved to Anchorage and became the owner of Isaac's Pumping. He continued to fly summers in Bristol Bay. In 1987 he worked for PennAir in sales and marketing until his retirement in 2001. His wife, Celeste Tibbetts, died on June 5, 1993. Norm's life was blessed with another fine lady and he married Doris Culligan in August 1994. Mr. Tibbetts was an accomplished artist as well, specializing in carving and painting. He never sold his pictures because he received more by giving them away to friends and family. He enjoyed NASCAR and watching races and football games with his family. He loved listening to music and reading about his children's and grandchildren's accomplishments. He loved to travel, Hawaii being his favorite destination. His family said: "We will remember dad for the tremendous love he showed for his family, friends, and those most in need and less fortunate. There was never a question of how much he loved us. He was a man of many talents who always stressed sportsmanship and kindness. Always a fighter, he endured so much late in life, but his amazing will and strength of heart remained strong until the end." Mr. Tibbetts is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Greg and Jane Tibbetts, Ken and Elaine Tibbetts, and Norman and Jacki Tibbetts; three daughters and sons-in-law, Cathy and Perry Duffy, Maria Tibbetts and Patrick Metcalf, and Monica and Jerome Ross, all of Anchorage; 14 grandchildren, Rachel Duffy, Travis Tibbetts, Luke Duffy, Wes Tibbetts, Rebecca Duffy, Brooke Derby, Carly Tibbetts, Jeni Tibbetts, Paul Duffy, Gene Tibbetts, Vince Fell, Tessa Metcalf, Sierra Metcalf and Race Rome, and Melissa Tibbetts; five great-grandchildren; two brothers, George Tibbetts and Chuck Tibbetts; and many other family members and close friends. He was preceded in death by his father, George Tibbetts; mother, Helen Tibbetts Harris; and his beloved wife, Celeste Tibbetts. Memorial donations may be sent to Amedisys Hospice of Anchorage, 3909 Arctic Blvd., Suite 102, Anchorage 99503, in memory of Norman Tibbetts.