Ronald Arthur Gibbs

On January 18, 2025, Ronald A. Gibbs passed away at Lakeland Regional Hospital following a lengthy illness. He was 87 years old, born on July 4, 1937. Ron often joked that because he was born on the Fourth of July, he was a "real firecracker." Friends and family can attest that this was not a joke. Ron was adopted by Roy and Marian Gibbs of Petoskey, Michigan, the state he always loved and considered home. Ron was a life-long coach, mentor and athlete. After earning an undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University and a master's degree in education from the University of Michigan, Ron served proudly for 41 years as a public educator, making a positive impact on the lives of countless students. He taught and coached football, basketball and track and field at Lee High School in Wyoming, MI and at Reeths-Puffer Schools in Muskegon, Michigan. Later in his career he served as the Assistant Community Education Director at Orchard View Schools in Muskegon, where he continued to enrich the lives of members of the community. After retirement, Ron continued to serve as a volunteer coach supporting the Orchard View Middle School football team as a volunteer and as a volunteer at area high school track meets. He also assisted in radio broadcasting high school football games.
In professional organizations, Ron was a lifetime member of the Michigan Adult, Community, Education Association. For years he served as co-chairman of the MACAE annual fall conference.
Ron always had a ready smile, a good sense of humor and was a friend to everyone he met. He was most happy when outdoors doing physical activities. He was an avid downhill skier and loved golf. In his youth, he even tried out for the Detroit Tigers and despite being invited to join the team, his passion for the team never wavered. He was just as enthusiastic about the Detroit Lions and the University of Michigan Wolverines, always loyal even in difficult seasons.
Gardening and lawn care were other passions in Ron's life and an excuse to spend more time outdoors. He preferred growing fruit and vegetables, especially zucchini, over flowers. He could spend an entire day puttering around and tending his garden. He was a regular customer at the Muskegon Farmer's Market and on a friendly first name basis with most of the vendors. Ron enjoyed traveling all over with his wife, Pat. They visited every island in the Caribbean and enjoy every moment of it.
In his retirement, Ron and his wife, Pat built a dream home on Drummond Island, Michigan and divided their time between there and The Lakes at CountryWood in Plant City, Florida. Ron was among the very first residents of the Lakes when the community was founded over thirty years ago. As the community grew, Ron and Pat gained many close friends through the years and eventually settled in as full time residents of Florida. Ron was an active member of the community and could almost always be found on the golf course. He co-chaired the entertainment committee, attended social activities, was a star chair volleyball player and discovered an unknown love for bingo.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Sandra, and granddaughter Charlotte Koleszar. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Pat; daughter Debbie (Jon) Hansen, grandson Michael (Lindsey) Hansen and great grandchildren, Connor and Sloane, grandson Tommy Hansen; and granddaughter Kelsey Hansen - of San Diego, CA; daughter Julie (Garrett) Koleszar, grandson Calvin (Kasi) Koleszar, granddaughter Claire Koleszar and grandson, Charlie Koleszar - of Fallbrook, CA; and son, David Gibbs of Minneapolis, MN. Surviving step children are Christopher (Amy) Person, step grandsons Alex and Isaac Pehrson - of Potomac, MD; Jon (Sarah) Pehrson, step grandsons Bohdan and Milo Person - of Rochester Hills, MI.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in the memory of Ronald A. Gibbs to the American Heart Association or the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Tampa Bay, FL.
Friends and family will be received on January 23, 2025 from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Haught Funeral Home, 708 W Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Plant City, FL 33563.
A memorial service will follow at 11:00 AM
Online condolences can be made at www.haught.care.
Funeral arrangements were trusted to Haught Funeral Home, 708 W. Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd Plant City, FL 33563, (813) 717-9300
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