Michael L Gibbs

Michael Gibbs
Marysvale, Utah

Michael L. Gibbs, 83, of Marysvale, Utah, finally watched his last western movie on July 18, 2025.

Mike was a hard worker who always kept himself busy. Each morning, he cherished looking out the kitchen window to check on his cows. After the passing of his beloved wife of 60 years, he was never quite the same. He mourned her for three years, seven months, and twelve days. Imagining their beautiful reunion now is heartwarming. Most of his friends and family had already upgraded to the celestial clouds, so I can only imagine the party that's happening up there now!

Born with the luck of the Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1942, in Salt Lake City, Utah, Mike was welcomed by his parents, Joseph Leone (Poncy) Gibbs and Ethel Marion Stark Gibbs. He joined his only sibling, Kelton Gibbs, with whom he shared many mischievous adventures.

Growing up as every little boy should, Mike ran around the mountains, played in creeks, hunted, fished, and whistled his way through life. He loved animals and always had a dog by his side. Known for his teasing and trickster nature, he was quite the character.

A proud Marysvale native, Mike was irked each time the BLM encroached on "his" mountains. He loved Marysvale so much that even when working out of town, he drove two hours each way just to sleep in his own bed.

At 18, Mike began working at the uranium mine. After his high school sweetheart completed beauty school, they married on December 2, 1961. He later attended school in California to specialize in cranes and caterpillars. A proud member of the Union Operating Engineers Chapter 3, he remained so for life.

Mike was a talented athlete, honored as one of five All-State basketball players in Utah. A perfectionist in all he did, he enjoyed card games, chess, poker, and was quite the pool shark.

No one could spin a tall tale better than Mike. According to him, the fish were always bigger than the boat, and he’d joke about needing a crane to haul deer off the mountain. He taught every kid in town his special wart remedy, and his hearty laugh filled the room every time they reported their warts were gone.

His family was his greatest accomplishment and joy. Having four daughters was no small feat, and the interviews he conducted with their dates were legendary for their embarrassment!

Mike’s love for the outdoors was contagious, and he and Helen instilled this passion in their girls through Sunday picnics, rain or shine, and annual quests for the perfect Christmas tree. Cutting trees with an axe was the only correct method, a tradition passed to his son-in-laws, much to their feigned delight.

Mike is survived by his daughters, Michelle (Doug) Jensen, Sherri (Kris) Poulson, Merri-Mike (Steve) Frodsham, and Terrie Coburn; his sisters-in-law, Carole Washburn and Beverly Hoover; 16 grandchildren; and 37 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Helen Hoover Gibbs; his parents, Joseph and Ethel Gibbs; his brother, Kelton Gibbs; and his granddaughter, River Coburn, along with his in-laws, Kenneth and Ada Hoover.

Graveside services will be Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 11:00 at the Mountain View Cemetery in Marysvale. Please join us at the cemetery to share fun stories about Mike.

After the dedication of the grave, you’re welcome to join us in a toast to his new adventures.

A special thanks to those who helped during this past year when his daughters couldn’t be there: Keri Thomas, "Suzy" Seng, and Yasuko Baba (Suki)