Ronald Gibbs

Ronald L. Gibbs WEDDINGTON - Ronald L. Gibbs, 65, of Weddington, passed away on Saturday, November 2, 2013, at CMC-Pineville. After a brief bout of pneumonia, his body succumbed to his chronic lung disease diagnosed in 2010. Mr. Gibbs was born on July 3, 1948 in Los Angeles, CA, son of the late J.B. Gibbs and Nadyne Crumpacker Gibbs. Ron was preceded in death at an early age by his father, J.B. Gibbs; and later by his mother, Nadyne Holt and husband Jack Holt. Ron graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in chemistry, followed by a graduate degree from the University of Texas, where he met his wife, Marylu. He worked for the Dow Chemical Company for 25 years in Baton Rouge, LA and Midland, MI where in the latter part of his career, he was manager of network communications and scientific visualization for Central Research. Ron had numerous interests and became a master in all of them. He represented North Carolina in the Senior Olympics in table tennis. He was also an accomplished magician. He was an early adopter of the Apple computer platform and became an expert in the fields of networking and imaging, speaking numerous times at MacWorld Expos and other major conferences. He loved photography and geology, combining the two with the publication of a beautiful and educational book "Agates and Jaspers" in 2009. He loved sharing his passions and taught Intarsia Inlay and Macro-Photography at the William Holland School of Lapidary Arts. He was an active member of the Charlotte Gem and Mineral Club and the Charlotte Apple Computer Club. He quickly became best of class at whatever he did, then shared his expertise and enthusiasm with others. Survivors include his beloved wife of 37 years, Marylu Gibbs of Weddington; brother-in-law Don B. Benton of Winston Salem; sisters-in-law Rebecca Boeschel (Bob) of Charlotte and Amy Ritchie (Cliff) of Salisbury; nieces and nephews, Sarah Birth (Donnie), Kevin Troxell (Amber), Joy Ritchie, Jack Benton, Erin Troxell, Carl Ritchie and Ben Ritchie. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 7:00PM until 9:00PM on Wednesday, November 6, 2013 at Heritage Funeral Home, Weddington Chapel. Services in celebration of his life will be held at 2:00PM, Thursday, November 7, 2013 in the Chapel at Heritage Funeral Home. Private interment will be held for the family at Forest Lawn East Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Charlotte Gem and Mineral Club, 5134 Dunes Ct., Charlotte, NC 28226 or to the William Holland School of Lapidary Arts, P.O. Box 980, Young Harris, GA 30582. Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Funeral Home, Weddington Chapel. An online guestbook is available at www.heritagefuneral.net