Rollyn Cliffton Gibbs

Major General Rollyn Cliffton Gibbs, USA (Retired), of Clintonville, died peacefully in the early hours of December 13, 2025. Born October 17, 1935, in Fremont, Ohio, Cliffton moved to Columbus at a young age and became a proud graduate of The Ohio State University, earning both a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Juris Doctor in 1958. A distinguished military graduate, Cliff was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve, serving his country with honor for over 37 years. He rose to the rank of Major General, commanding the 83rd Army Reserve Command in Columbus and playing a pivotal role in preparing units for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. His service included significant contributions to military civic action projects and international military integration efforts. He was also a member of the Board of the Army War College Foundation and remained active with the OSU ROTC Alumni Society as an Emeritus member. In addition to his military career, Cliff was a respected attorney in Columbus for over 50 years, specializing in debtor and creditor rights, bankruptcy, and corporate law. He began his legal career in 1960 with the law firm of Nappi & Cunningham, before joining the law firms Cunningham, Burns and Gibbs, Cunningham, Gibbs, & Cavalieri, Arter & Hadden LLP, and then Bailey Cavalieri LLC. He finished his career serving as in-house counsel for Bundy Baking Solutions, based in Urbana, Ohio, an international company founded by the Bundy family to whom Cliffton was devoted both personally and throughout his legal career. He served as counsel in numerous high-profile insolvency cases during his career and was an original member of the bankruptcy trustee panel for the Southern District of Ohio. His calm demeanor and ability to provide objective, dispassionate counsel benefited his clients immensely. During the latter part of his legal career, Cliffton served as a mentor to many young attorneys using his wisdom, and displaying his wonderful character, which exemplified all which is good in the profession. Cliffton was a valued member of several professional legal associations including the Columbus Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association. Cliffton was devoted to his Presbyterian faith and a longtime member of Overbrook Presbyterian Church in Columbus, Ohio. He was predeceased by his beloved mother, Cora Alice Cliffton, his father, Rollyn Matt Gibbs, his aunt Nellie Hibbard Cliffton, his uncles Emerson George Cliffton and Russell Gibbs, and cousin Diana Jane Cliffton Burnham. He is also survived by numerous extended family members in West Unity, Ohio including Jan Hutchinson, Judy Rand, and Rose Stough. Always seeing the best in humanity, one never heard Cliffton utter a negative word about anyone. He will be remembered for his devotion to country, community, and his chosen profession. Heartfelt thanks to Cliffton's dedicated caregivers during his final years, namely Rutreast (Tree), Julie, Marlene and Alpha from Options Home Services and Melanie, Rena and Trish from IKOR of Columbus, and to the families of Nick V. and Avalon K. Cavalieri and Russell T. and Elizabeth A. Bundy for their unwavering love and attention to Cliffton during his lifetime. His was truly a legacy of leadership, service, and integrity. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Overbrook Presbyterian Church, 4131 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43214, with a reception and luncheon to follow at the Church. Private interment to be held at a later date and time at West Franklin Cemetery in West Unity, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donation may be made in Cliffton's memory to Overbrook Presbyterian Church at the address above, or to a charity of your choice.