Gordon Henry TIBBITTS

TIBBITTS, Gordon Henry

86, of Largo, and formerly of Hebron, IL, died June 29, 2017 at Suncoast Hospice in Pinellas Park, FL, in the caring company of his son Marc. Gordy, a multi-sport athlete, graduated from Hebron Community High School in 1948, and went on to be a notable player on the House of David barnstorming basketball team. Gordy was a proud US Navy veteran, serving from 1951-55 on the USS Yosemite as Purser and Shore Patrol, with colorful memories of time spent in Cuba. He made many friends at the Army/Navy Club in Largo and the Wine Cellar Restaurant in Indian Rocks Beach, and especially enjoyed watching sports with a cold beer in hand. Gordy had a long and interesting career as a chemist with Morton Salt. He travelled widely in the pursuit of quality salt and was granted two patents for his innovative processing methods. Throughout his life, he continued to travel extensively, enjoying regular trips to California and Oregon to visit his children, grandchildren and four-legged family members. He was predeceased by his wife, Carol Peterson in 1985; his father William in 1988; and his mother Margret in 1996. He is survived by his first wife, Nancy Tibbitts; children, Marc (Sharon) and Carrie; grandchildren, Travis and Kelly; brother, Wallace; niece Gayle (Jay) Schwartz. A private service will be held at Bay Pines National Cemetery in St. Petersburg, FL.