Thomas A. Gibbons

November 18, 1930 - May 18, 2020

Thomas Albert Gibbons passed from this life on Monday, May 18, 2020 at Bethany Life in Story City, Iowa. Tom was born on November 18, 1930 in Madrid, Iowa to Lester O. and Velora (Burton) Gibbons. Tom was a 1949 graduate of Madrid High School. He married Angelina Righi, and they lived much of their life in Madrid where they raised their four children. Tom was a veteran of the United States Navy. He served on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Gilbert Islands during the Korean War. He was a tire builder at Bridgestone Firestone in Des Moines, where he retired after 38 years. Tom and Angie retired to Heber Springs, Arkansas in 1992. They enjoyed fishing on the lake and danced several times a week. They returned to Iowa in 2013 and lived in Altoona. Tom was a member of Saints John and Paul Catholic Church in Altoona. He was a long-time member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and the Knights of Columbus. He was a loving and dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. Tom enjoyed life, and also believed that benefits would be derived from working hard. He will be dearly missed. Tom is survived by a brother, Floyd (Ramona) Gibbons of Madrid; his children, Lezlie (Daniel) Lundy of Zearing, Suzanne (Charles) Nestrud of Little Rock, Arkansas, Mark (Julie) Gibbons of Johnston, and Peggy (Dennis) Sweeney of Altoona; grandchildren, Cortney (Patrick) White, Nicolas Vest, Jennifer (Chris) Aguerre, April (Jason) Oliver, Christopher (Karen Jones) Nestrud, Lauren (Suvir) Garkel, Anna Sweeney, Kieran Sweeney, Matthew Gibbons, and Megan Gibbons; and great grandchildren, Bella White, Zoey White, Ruby Aguerre, Coral Aguerre, Claire Oliver, Carson Oliver, and Riya Garkel. Tom was recently preceded in death by Angie, his wife of 68 years; his parents; brothers Lester R. Gibbons and Robert Gibbons; and sisters Frances Thompson, Phyllis Erickson, and Carole Anne Hurst. Gravesite services were held at Mount Hope Cemetery in Madrid.