Lester Gene Tibbets

1948 - 2026

Lester Gene Tibbets

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Lester Gene Tibbets, 77, of Jerome announces his passing on January 27, 2026, after a long, exhaustive battle with bone cancer.

He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Gene was born to Lester Green Tibbets and Eva Viola (Buchanan) Tibbets in Twin Falls on December 3, 1948. He attended high school in Jerome, where he enjoyed mechanical drawing, woodworking, and Vo-Ag. He participated in FFA where he had a large hog project that he won numerous awards and judging contests with. Gene grew up on his parents' farm, where he learned to drive horse teams working in the hay, potato, and grain fields. He bought a set of hogs, and that was the beginning of his hog business that spanned the next 20 years.

On May 11, 1967, Gene was married to his eternal companion, Neoma Elaine Overmon. Together, they raised 8 children. In 1974, Gene and Neoma were sealed to their family for time and eternity in the Manti, Utah Temple. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His eternal companion, Neoma passed away in March 2018. In February 2019, Gene married Sandra Giles to spend his remaining years with until her passing in November 2025.

Gene will be remembered for his creativity, inventiveness, and knowledge of equipment. He taught his eight children the value of hard work and resilience. He could often be found working on equipment, fabricating buildings, farming, dairy repairs, and in later years, woodworking. He had a passion for playing the accordion and could play the songs by ear. He loved westerns and listening to talk radio on long car rides.

Gene is survived by his eight children, Walter (Alice) Tibbets of Duluth, Okla., Julie (Wayne) Hulet of Rupert, Idaho, Amanda (Donny) Henscheid of Jerome, Idaho, Kevan (Valerie) Tibbets of Fruitland, Idaho, Timothy Tibbets of Jerome, Idaho, Richard (Brandi) Tibbets of Buhl, Idaho, Christopher Tibbets of Heyburn, Idaho, and Jeffrey (Jacqueline) Tibbets of Kimberly, Idaho; 26 grandchildren; 16 great- grandchildren; sister, Lela Higgins of Jerome, Idaho; along with Sandra's children, Tracey (Bruce) Hubbard of Holbrook, Travis (Karen) Giles of Gooding, Hailey (Steve) Sears of Wendell, Jacob (Ashley) Giles of Eden, Zachary (Emma) Giles of Rexburg, and Josh (Ana) Giles of Jerome.

Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Neoma Tibbets; second wife, Sandra Giles; Mother; Father; and loving Aunts and Uncles.

Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m., with a viewing beginning at 10 a.m., Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Farnsworth Mortuary, 1343 South Lincoln Ave., Jerome. Burial will conclude at the Jerome Cemetery.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Gene's memorial webpage at www.farnsworthmortuary.com.