Joseph Walter Gibbs III

Joseph Walter Gibbs III was born on January 8, 1938 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to his father Joseph Walter Gibbs II and mother Elizabeth Emma Gibbs. He was the eldest to 3 sisters JoAnne, Joy and Mitzi. Joe is survived by his loving and beautiful wife, Rosemary Gibbs and their children Joseph Walter IV, Mark Delgado, Kimberly Gibbs, Manuel Delgado and multiple grandchildren. Joe enjoyed a remarkable 86 years of life. He was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. His disciplined life and kind spirit were always on display. He easily made friends, laughed and will always be remembered for his kind smile.  Joe was welcomed into Heaven on April 11, 2024 by our family’s elders and friends who have passed before. 

To be remembered fully, it is important to mention his lifetime accomplishments. After joining the Marine Corps in January of 1955, he reached the highest rank of  Lieutenant Colonel and was the commanding officer of three infantry companies, including one in combat in Vietnam. During his time in the Marines he traveled the world to Malta, Japan, China and Vietnam, but was always happiest at his home in Montrose, Colorado with Rosemary. He received various commendations, most notably, a Silver Star (the 3rd highest military decoration for valor in combat) and a Purple Heart (an award which acknowledged his physical sacrifice to our great nation). After his Honorable discharge from the Marine Corps in August 1978, he worked as an Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) teacher on the Navajo reservation with middle school/ high school students. He then moved his family to Flagstaff, Arizona where he completed his Masters Degree in Public Administration and worked as an adjunct professor at Northern Arizona University.  Ultimately, Joe and his family moved to Montrose, Colorado. Joe could never stay idle.  His day started at sunrise with a bowl of oatmeal and continued well past sunset with hot tea and cookies. He had been a lifelong learner and for the past six years was researching astrophysics and string theory as it was “interesting.” He encouraged personal responsibility, intellect and physical strength from himself and encouraged as much from his children and grandchildren. Joe was our guiding light. He was our compass. We are all better humans for being raised and loved by Joseph Gibbs III. 

Joe was a kind, humble and generous man. He had a smile that would light up a room. He genuinely wanted to make the lives of other people better. He adored his wife. He loved pie, ice cream and hamburgers. His courageousness and honor will not only be remembered but greatly missed. Joe was a warrior, husband, father and grandfather.  His life was quite extraordinary and his next journey into the stars of heaven will undoubtedly be as colorful and fun.

In honor of Rosemary & Joseph a Celebration of Life for this amazing couple will be held on Monday, October 21, 2024 at 10:00 a.m., in Flagstaff, Arizona, at Norvel Owens Funeral Home, 914 Historic Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ86001.

For today, for all those wanting to celebrate Joe, grab a coffee and the most delicious pastry for yourself and display a simple kind act of generosity for someone else. Please know, in that moment, Joe will be smiling from heaven and letting every angel know how special you are to him. Thank you for honoring Joe.