Gilford Gibbs

Gilford H. Gibbs went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 17, 2014. He retired in 1982 after 40 years of service as office manager for the Chattanooga News Free Press. He was assistant manager of the Bijou Theater 1938-1940, and was House Manager at the Tivoli Theater 1940-1942. He was inducted into the U.S. Army during WWII and served in the U.S. Air Corps for 3 1/2 years. For the last two years of service he was stationed at Stout Field in Indianapolis, Ind., as Air Operations Specialist/Aircraft Dispatcher, AAF Base Unit, 814th Troop Carrier Command. He was honorably discharged as Sergeant in February, 1946. Gilford attended Colorado State College of Education in Greeley, Colo., and received the B.S. degree in business administration from the University of Chattanooga in 1959. He was a member of Central Baptist Church during WWII and in 1950 joined Brainerd Baptist Church. Gilford was a member of the Pryor Dixon Men's Sunday school class. He was an active member of the Chattanooga Music Club and was involved with the club's organ restoration project at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium. Gilford was preceded in death by his mother, Rhoda T. Gibbs; and brothers, Dillon C. Gibbs and Preston D. Gibbs. He is survived by his sister, Evelyn Irene Gibbs, Chattanooga; nephew and niece-in-law, David and Carol Gibbs, Chattanooga; niece and nephew-in-law, Dianne and John Grant, Lawrenceville, Ga.; great nephew, James Grant, Lawrenceville, Ga.; great nephew and niece-in-law, Brian and Leigh Anne Grant and their two sons, Caleb and Andrew, Monroe, Ga. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today, June 20, at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home with the Rev. Steve Rowland officiating. The Rev. Jim Bailiff with give the eulogy. Burial with a military salute will be in Hamilton Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. today at the funeral home. Memorial gifts may be made to the Lottie Moon Offering at Brainerd Baptist Church or to the Chattanooga Music Club for the Organ Fund for the Memorial Auditorium pipe organ. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com. Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson.