Obituary of Richard Lee Gibbons

Rick grew up in the Heights and in his youth lived to be playing baseball. To hear him talk, it was the Heights’ version of The Sandlot, with several of the neighborhood kids being outstanding athletes in their own right. Later, after he married, the baseball was replaced by a softball but with a greater focus on the social activities involved rather than the game itself. When it took to long to recover from sliding into second or the sore arm from throwing somebody out at first, Rick decided to help coach either his wife’s or his daughter’s teams. After the wife and daughter had outgrown their teams, Rick returned to another hobby from his youth, golf. Golf was a nice fit for Rick, it was the social interaction that he loved about that sport most. He absolutely loved the company of others that he met on the golf course. It’s going to be very strange to not see him laughing, joking and routinely spraying his driver, God only knows where, out at Orchard Hills. Rick also loved to work in his yard and putter around in his garage, always with the garage door open. I think most of the time he had the garage door open just so he could visit with people as they walked down the street or maybe a neighbor would happen to wander over for a beer and chat. His family is probably what he loved the most though. He and Penny, his wife of 43 years, had two daughters. Carly and husband Austin and grandson Chord. Taryn and husband Brian and granddaughter Lana. He loved them dearly and was so looking forward to watching the grandkids grow up. Rick had close relationships with his siblings too, Butch Gibbons, Diane Dunning and Debbie Broselle, and was fortunate that they all live nearby so they could get together at the drop of a hat. Rick worked at a John Deere dealership, Papé Machinery in Portland, Oregon, a fantastic company. He thought very highly of his bosses and the friendships he had made there. Although he liked his company and was very thankful to be employed there, he looked forward to retiring and refused to become a Duck fan. Rick was preceded in death by his parents Dick and Billie Gibbons. Celebration of life will be May 15 from 1 to 4 in the afternoon at Orchard Hills Golf and Country Club. 605 39th Street Washougal, WA 98671 (360)835-5889 Casual attire recommended Golf attire also appropriated