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Donald Alban Gibbs of Vancouver, Washington, passed away during the early hours of Sept. 3, 2026. At the time he was residing at Adrian’s Home LLC, an adult family home in Vancouver. While at Adrian’s Home, Don received the best possible care you can imagine. Pastor Don Gibbs will be laid to rest in Parkdale, Oregon, in a community that he loved, with the help of Jack Trumbull from Anderson’s Tribute Center, whom he worked with for many years.
Don was born in Roseburg, Oregon, on May 5, 1929. His father, Donald Ralph Gibbs, was in charge of a dental clinic there. His mother was Mildred Mower. He had one younger brother, Gordon Gibbs, who passed away a few years ago.
He graduated from Roseburg High School after 12 years in the Roseburg School System. He went on to get a Bachelor of Theology degree from Northwest Christian College, now Bushnell University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Oregon, both in Eugene, Oregon. He finished his graduate studies with a master of science degree from Portland State University.
He married Ruth Heighton, his wife of 74 years, in Clarkston, Washington, on July 26, 1952. They had seven children together, and Don is survived by his wife Ruth and his children Don Ralph, Abraham (Raju), Christine, Cean, Danielle, and Jason, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Don had a passion for flying and had always wanted to be a World War II fighter pilot. His favorite plane was a Staggerwing Beech. Many times an old-fashioned plane would fly overhead and Don could tell what type of plane it was and the type of engine it was using. He also had a passion for boating, water skiing, 1950s fast cars as well as gunfighters in old Western movies. Don enjoyed being a sociology and archeology professor as well as preaching the good news of the gospel. His love of sociology and the social sciences has been passed on to several of his children and grandchildren. One of his most heartfelt ministries was up in Parkdale at the Presbyterian-affiliated Parkdale Community Church. This church became his home with a community full of endearing people.
Over the years, Don and Ruth went on many overseas trips with church members to the Holy Land and other European destinations. On one of these memorable trips Don and two other parishioners decided that Parkdale Community Church needed similar stained glass windows that they saw in one of the historic cathedrals they had visited. These windows can still be enjoyed today. Don served at Parkdale for 12 years and even after moving away, he and Ruth continually returned to visit and support the community that they loved so dearly.
After Parkdale, Don and Ruth moved to Vancouver so they could be closer to grandchildren. Since then, they have had many sleepovers and pajama parties. Don loved being around friends and family. He will be greatly missed.
The celebration of life service will be held at Parkdale Community Church in Parkdale on Sunday, Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. The service will be preceded over by Don’s first son, Ralph Gibbs. There will be a small reception following the service.
“For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” — 2 Corinthians 5:1-5
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
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