Richard James Gibbs

Mar 25, 20210

Richard James Gibbs

January 7, 1969 ~ March 22, 2021 (age 52)

Richard James Gibbs, age 52, of Red Lake, Minnesota, passed way on Monday, March 22, 2021. Richard was born January 7, 1969, in Red Lake, MN, to Oliver and Darlene (Jones) Gibbs. He attended school in Red Lake and went on to own and operate Gibbs Logging. He was passionate and proud to be a business owner.

His family remembers him always having a horse as far back as they could remember. He loved animals, even including snakes and mice, sneaking them into his jean pockets as a kid. He was also an avid hunter, taking as many as 30 deer a year, but never for the sport of it; he gave away the meat to his relatives and the elderly. “No one hunted like him.”

Richard married the love of his life, Delphine Green, and for the 20 years of their marriage, he cherished her. His family remembers the example he set in how a husband loves and cares for his wife. As a young man, Richard met Jesus and made Him Lord of his life, and he and Delphine worked together to spread the Good News. Richard had taught himself to play the guitar, becoming so good he could “play with the best of them.” He used his music to minister to others in churches and the many revivals they attended nationwide. His favorite thing was to “jam with the Lamb and rock with the flock.”

Richard was a craftsman with birchbark and diamond willow. He was a man who did all things well, and when he was older, he was a big teddy bear of a man with a heart of gold. He is not remembered to have ever raised his voice in anger and was willing to speak words of thanks to those who helped him, especially during his illness. His presence and his example will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him.

Richard is survived by his step-children Oliver Johnson Jr., Owen Johnson, and Marlena Gonzales-Rivera; step-granddaughter Cody Johnson, whom he raised; numerous step-grandchildren and 2 step-great-grandchildren; sisters Lisa Lyons, Tina (Bob) Roybal, and Margaret Gibbs; aunt Delores Fineday; numerous nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and nephews whom he loved like his own. Reuniting with Richard are his wife Delphine; parents Darlene and Oliver Gibbs; sister Annie Sumner; brother George Gibbs; and nephews James Gibbs, Justice White, and Dale White.

A wake for Richard will begin Thursday, March 25, 2021, at 1:00pm, at the Redby Community Center and will continue until his service on Saturday, March 27, at 1:00pm. Services will also be held at 7pm on Thursday and Friday evenings with Pastors Tom Pollock and Josephine Smith. Helping to lay Richard to rest are Harold Altaha, Ron Kingbird, Gary Auginash, Terry Jourdain, Fred Carroll, Ralph Papequash, Casey Meyerding, and Alvie Downwind. Honorary Pallbearers are Al Pemberton, Morris Beaulieu, Mister Beaulieu, Tom & Becky Pollock, Paul Straubel, Joseph Gibbs, Robert Roybal, Joseph Howard, Gene Martinez, Paul & Sharone Spolar, Larry Stolz, Bev Libby, Libby Gurneau, Cheyenne Lussier, Charles Barrett, Delores Fineday, Jeremiah Defoe, Mike Defoe, Dave Defoe, Myron Fineday, and Sonia Carroll. Interment will follow in the Redby Community Cemetery.

Arrangements are being provided by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service, Walker, MN.

Services

Wake

Thursday

March 25, 2021

1:00 PM

Redby Community Center

Highway 1 East

Redby, MN 56670

Funeral Service

Saturday

March 27, 2021