C. Gibbs

A memorial service for Dr. C. Earl Gibbs, 72, of Tyler will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2008 at 10:00 AM at First Christian Church in Tyler with Rev. Chris Pulliam and Rev. A. Oden Latham, Jr. officiating. An additional memorial service will be held in Sacramento, California at East Lawn Cemetery at a later date. Dr. Gibbs passed away on March 16, 2008 at Trinity Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler. He was born on April 1, 1935 in Dallas, Oregon to the late James Clyde and Addie Martin Gibbs. He attended public school in Dallas, Oregon and graduated from Northwest Christian College in 1957 with a degree in Biblical Theology. He was ordained to the ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) at First Christian Church in Dallas, Oregon on July 7, 1957. Dr. Gibbs continued his education, receiving a Bachelor of Divinity degree from The Graduate Seminary of Phillips University, majoring in Practical Theology; a Master of Science degree from the University of Oregon, majoring in Counseling Psychology; and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the San Francisco Theological Seminary. Dr. Gibbs served as Senior Minister of First Christian Church in Tyler from 1991-2000 when he retired from pastoral ministry. He previously served churches in Tennessee, California, Oregon and Oklahoma. Since his retirement, he served as Interim Minister in Oregon and Arizona. His church influence was widespread through his sermons, research articles, magazine and journal articles, and newspaper columns. Dr. Gibbs previously served as Adjunct Professor at Chapman College in Sacramento, California, the Pacific School of Religion, the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California, and the University of San Francisco. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors for numerous organizations including the National Evangelistic Association, and was a member of the Board of Trustees of Northwest Christian College. Dr. Gibbs was active in the Tyler community, previously serving as a Volunteer Police Chaplain for the City of Tyler. He served on the Board of Directors of Champions for Children in Tyler and was a member of the Traffic Safety Board in Tyler. He also served in many leadership positions in the Rotary Club. Dr. Gibbs was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 50 years, Laurice Gibbs; and a daughter, Barbara Gibbs. He is survived by a loving family including his wife, Joyce Gibbs of Tyler; sons Douglas Gibbs and wife Leah of Gilbert, Arizona, and Robert Gibbs of Sacramento, California; step-children, Kay and Ricky Davis of Tyler, Jill and Mike Wallace of Ponta, Texas and Holly Barry of St. Louis, Missouri; grandchildren, Jonathan and Michael Gibbs, and Adam and Christa Gibbs; step-grandchildren, Austin and Whitney Davis, and Maddie, Callie and Lacey Wallace. Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, 2008 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, Tyler, Texas 75703. Memorials in honor of Dr. C. Earl Gibbs may be made to First Christian Church, 4202 South Broadway, Tyler, Texas 75701 or Northwest Christian College, 828 East 11th Avenue, Eugene, Oregon 97401.

C. Gibbs

April 1, 1935 - March 16, 2008