John Michael “Mike" Gibbs

The moment Mike stepped out the back door of life, he crossed over and passed through the gates of Heaven.  He was born in Lake City, Florida, on October 11, 1951, to John A Gibbs, Jr. and Betty Sue Griffeth Gibbs.  In 1952, his father was recalled to serve in the Air Force and thus began the family’s lifetime of travel and love of country.  He lived in Denver, Colorado, Rapid City, South Dakota, then moved to Chicopee, Massachusetts, and Anderson AFB, Guam.  Next was Omaha, Nebraska, where he lived for seven years, and where he was able to put down some roots.  He spent the next year in Gainesville, Florida, while his dad served in Viet Nam.  Next was Ramstein Air Base in West Germany, and Mike’s final move was to the Washington DC area where he graduated in 1970 from Mt Vernon High School in Alexandria, Virginia.

As quickly as he could manage, he moved back to his beloved Florida and began a 30+ year career with Southern Bell Telephone Company.  As a skilled telecommunications lineman, he earned the nickname “Wirehead.”  He enjoyed his job so much that he often bragged, “I never worked a day in my life!”  After a short stint in Mississippi, he again returned to Florida, purchasing five acres in Dunnellon.  There he built his dream home with his former wife, Geraldine Baker, and their two sons, Luke and Justin.  Later adding the abutting five acres, he eventually began work on Wirehead’s Management Area, cutting two trails he named Deer Run Road and the Nature Trail, and he planted over a hundred azalea bushes surrounding a much-favored firepit.

Mike dedicated a great deal of time to his two sons, coaching their sports teams and teaching them the joys of outdoor life.  He was a fabulous photographer, filling his home with spectacular scenic photos of his travels.  As a grandfather, he attended and took countless photos of his grandchildren at their athletic events.  Mike had many much-loved dogs, each named after a well-loved person in his life.

A true outdoorsman, Mike enjoyed hunting, boating and fishing, golf, archery, water skiing, motorcycling, camping and more.  He traveled through all fifty states (except Rhode Island!) spending nights under the stars in national forests as well as state parks along the way.  As a “Mr. Fixit,” he repaired cars and motors and once surprised his dad by restoring his 1953 Ford Golden Jubilee farm tractor.  Mike would often declare, “I can fix anything but a broken heart.”  Jokester.  Adventurer.  Firebug.  Athlete.  Storyteller.  Superman.  There are not enough names to describe the character that was Mike Gibbs.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, John and Betty Gibbs.

Michael, or “Mike” will be greatly missed by his surviving family:  Long-time love Colleen Garvin, sons Luke (Jennifier) and Justin; sisters Sharren Lee Gibbs and Vicky Lynn Gibbs of Gainesville, and Leslie Anne Sparks (Rick) of Tallahassee; nephew James Hughes and niece Emily Hughes Russ; grandchildren Deanna, Amelia and Cecelia Gibbs, Garrett Gibbs (Taylor), Matalyn Gibbs Gilligan (Gabe), Griffin Gibbs, Savannah Bond Masters (Marc), and Patrick Bond (Alahna); great-grandchildren Tucker Gibbs, Corinne Gilligan, and Iris Masters.  We must also include his lifelong friends Craig Harper and JW Morrison.

A grateful and heartfelt shoutout to the Vitas Hospice Team for their care and support.

Come celebrate Mike’s life with us at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 3rd, at Roberts Funeral Home of Dunnellon, 19939 E. Pennsylvania Avenue.