Samuel Howard Gibbons

Samuel Howard Gibbons, age 95, passed away Monday, March 22, 2010, at his home. There will be a memorial service Friday, March 26, 2010, at First United Methodist Church of Athens at 11 a.m. with a visitation service to follow. Mr. Samuel Howard Gibbons was born in Calera, AL on November 3, 1914 to S. Howard and Laura Johnson Gibbons. He graduated from Alabama Polytechnic Institute in Auburn with a degree in Landscape Architecture in 1937. He lived in Athens for over fifty years, moving from Lewisburg, TN, where he operated Murray Farm. Mr. Gibbons retired in 1984 as Marketing Manager of ConAgra Poultry. He is a member of the Alabama Poultry Hall of Fame. For 36 years, he was the manager of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in Shelbyville, TN. He is a member of the Celebration Hall of Fame.He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Athens where he was a long time member of the Board of Trustees and former Finance Chairman. He was a veteran of WWII where he fought across Europe with the 79th Division. He received a Bronze Star for valor along with distinguished citations and other awards. He held the rank of Lt. Col. when he left the Army. He was a director and former Treasurer of the Alabama Veteran Museum and Archives in Athens. Mr. Gibbons served as volunteer coordinator of Limestone County income tax program for the low income and elderly since 1986. Under his leadership, recruitment of the male professional volunteers, and oversight, the program is now in its 24th year of tax preparation for more than 1500 needy individuals annually in two counties working five days a week throughout the tax season. In addition to tax preparation, Sam began the volunteer program at the local State Health Department office. Once again, under Mr. Gibbons' leadership, male professional volunteers have been recruited to work one day a week at the local office assisting with immunizations, flu shots, sex education literature and well baby clinics. Mr. Gibbons became a member of Athens-Limestone County RSVP in 1985. He served as Vice Chairman of the Athens-Limestone RSVP Board of Directors since 1995. Through RSVP, Sam served as a board member and officer of the Athens-Limestone Beautification Board. While serving on the Beautification Board, he coordinated the Arbor Day Foundation school program. Mr. Gibbons has been recognized by the Athens, Alabama Chamber of Commerce as Citizen of the Year. He was a man of integrity, high moral values, and a committed volunteer to his community, state, and country. He remained active in the community until his death. Sam was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and three sisters. Mr. Gibbons leaves behind his wife of 68 years, Fern Howell Gibbons; son and daughter-in-law Howard and Kris Gibbons of Shelbyville, KY; two sisters, Laura Schwarz, Blairsville, GA and Katherine Ott, Waterloo, IA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends..