James Martin Gibbons

James M. Gibbons passed away on September 16, 2022 in Phoenix, AZ after a short battle with cancer, with family by his side.

He was born in Evergreen Park, Il on Jan 27, 1960 to John (Jack) and Rita Mae Gibbons (nee Petrie). He graduated from Bogan High School in 1978.

After high school, Jim attended the Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma where he graduated as a Non-Destructive Testing Technician. Jim then went on to work at both Rockwell International and Northrop Grumman in California where he worked on testing and certifying various aircrafts for NASA and the military. Some of Jim's proudest accomplishments during this time were working on the Space Shuttle, B-1B, F-18 and F-20. Jim then went on to work for various contractors throughout the U.S. Jim's last job was with Consultant Engineering, Inc (CEI) in Phoenix where he worked on various infrastructure jobs throughout the area and most specifically the SkyTram at Sky Harbor (PHX) airport. Jim also worked on and was proud of the following projects: the Hoover Dam bypass bridge, MGM Grand Hotel and the Stratosphere in Las Vegas, SF/Oakland Bay Bridge, 900 N. Michigan building in Chicago and multiple retractable roof sporting stadiums to include Seattle, San Diego, Minneapolis, Phoenix and Denver.

Jim loved aeronautics & was very proud to work for CEI for the past 13 years. He had a great sense of humor and quick wit and loved telling jokes. Jim was known for his impeccable memory and instant recall of almost any detail no matter how long ago. Jim loved his country immensely along with the men and women of the armed forces and all first responders. Jim himself served for a few years on the Cook County Sheriff's Department (IL) and was proud of graduating as class president from Class #90-2. Jim loved all Chicago sports teams and was fortunate to witness a World Series victory by his beloved Cubbies unlike many generations before him. Jim loved his large family especially his nieces & nephews.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents John and Rita Mae (Petrie), and brothers Thomas and Michael. James is survived by his brothers Terence (Marilynn), John/Jay (Sheila), Daniel and Joseph and his sister Patricia along with numerous nephews and nieces. There will be a funeral mass on October 8, 2022 at 10:00am at St. Cajetan Catholic Church, 2445 W. 112th St., Chicago, Ill 60655. Jim will be interred at Assumption Catholic Cemetery in Glenwood, Illinois on Monday October 10, 2022 at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to American Cancer Society.

To view the funeral mass via live stream click here or copy/paste: https://www.asimplestreaming.com/jmgibbons/?fbclid=IwAR15FwzlI8D0dOoq1EYl7wg0IeCyYFBgF1IxJsz2mbdvz9S--OPk4F5KwTw