James Howard Gibbs

06/25/1938 - 07/25/2025

James Gibbs of Arlington, VA, passed peacefully in Asheville, NC on July 25, 2025 surrounded by his children. Beloved husband of 51 years to Grace Boffa Gibbs (d. 2020); father to Lisa Gibbs-Smith (Rusty Smith), Christopher Gibbs (Jennifer Gibbs), and Jonathan Gibbs; grandfather to Audrey, Lauren, Nicholas and Sarah. James was born in Anderson, SC to Howard and Velma Gibbs. In his youth, the family moved to Asheville, NC, and there Jim became a Christian, nurtured his passion for pinto beans and sports of all kinds, and was discovered to have an exceptional singing voice. This talent led him to Mars Hill College, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Maryland, and ultimately to Washington, DC and a career with the United States Army Chorus. He served his country just shy of 30 years before retiring in 1993. He was also Minister of Music at First Christian Church for three decades and was profoundly dedicated to using his gifts to serve God's people. Jim was married to Grace Gibbs for more than fifty years, and their life together was richly blessed by a mutual love of God, devotion to their friends and family, and the joy of music. Jim lived out one of his deepest callings when he faithfully and lovingly cared for Grace during the twenty years she had dementia. After she passed, he found love again when he reconnected with JoRita Perry, who he had dated more than sixty years prior. They enjoyed traveling, storytelling, history and true companionship. Jim never met a stranger, and his legacy is firmly rooted in faith, love, connection, and community. His "joie de vivre" and "MO+" positive-momentum outlook on life were a wonder to behold and an inspiration to us all. Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to First Christian Church (Falls Church, VA) or to Insight Memory Care Center (Fairfax, VA).