David Phillip Gibbs was born July 11, 1935 in Miles City, MT, the youngest of 6 children born to Honora (Leibole) and LeRoy Gibbs. He was taken home to the homestead near Van Norman on the Little Dry Creek east of Jordan where he joined sister Betty and brothers Lee, Gerald, Gene and John. He passed away April 13, 2023 in Miles City, MT at Holy Rosary Hospital. At the age of 87 he was still vibrant and healthy, still feeding cows and helping calve heifers up until the few days before he passed.
David had a random grade school education. He went to Jordan for 1st grade but also homeschooled or attended the Pure Water School depending on what worked best for transportation. He attended Garfield County High School and graduated in 1953. He attended college in Great Falls for 2 years and then went to Bozeman where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science. Before deciding where to go from there, he ended up being drafted and spent 2 years in the army. After he was discharged, he joined his brothers Gerald and John in a partnership and started his ranching career. They leased the Hart Ranch near Ashland, MT where he ran cows for the partnership and also some sheep for his dad. After 2 years they decided to buy the Wahl ranch northwest of Circle, MT, near Weldon and he moved there in the fall of 1964, having little preparation for one of the worst winters in history. It was a tough start but he made it work and spent the rest of his life there. In 1967 David married Birdice Marie Sowle from Brockway. Together they ranched, farmed and raised three children. They also had a hand in raising some grandkids, too.
Much of David’s life was spent involved with his brothers and nephews, both in business and their personal lives. The brother’s partnership eventually dissolved when the family grew. They continued working cattle together, mostly sharing fall work, and looking to each other for advice and friendship. He enjoyed early morning phone calls with all of them before starting the day, a habit especially valuable in the lonely years after he lost Birdice. He especially appreciated his relationship with his nephew Jim. They spent many years sharing each other’s wisdom and input.
David was a man of great patience, whether contemplating a decision, hearing your side of the conversation or waiting for a bunch of pairs to mother up. He also had an encouraging word or maybe a humorous comment when you least expected it. We are all going to miss his strong quiet presence in so many ways.
David was preceded in death by Birdice in 2017, shortly after celebrating their 50th anniversary. Also preceding him are his parents, Roy and Nora, sister Betty (Jerome) Haughian, brothers Lee (Ardelle), Gerald (Delores) and John (Helen). He is survived by his son Kevin (Dawn) and daughters Kally (Reg) Billing and Kim (Ross) Murray, grandchildren Ashley (Ryan) Hall, David, Donovan, Abigail, Alice and Daniel Gibbs, Joseph and Ethan Billing, Roy, Owen and Josie Murray, and great grandchildren Maizee, Jeremiah and Ezekiel Dirksen and Elijah and Ainsley Hall. He is also survived by his brother Gene and sister-in-law Donnajean, and many nephews and nieces.
Family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Circle. Interment will be held at a later date on the family ranch. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should you desire, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday April 19, 2023
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Mass
2:00 p.m.
Thursday April 20, 2023
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
1100 C Ave.
Circle, Montana 59215
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday April 19, 2023
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Mass
2:00 p.m.
Thursday April 20, 2023
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
1100 C Ave.
Circle, Montana 59215
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Frank Wright says
Kevin, Kally, Kim and families,
Sorry to hear about your Dad! I sure enjoyed working for him a bit through the years, getting off the bus at Weldon to brand calves, trailing cows to Rock Creek, etc. He was always good to me, and a good neighbor. He showed me how you are supposed to eat an apple, when you are done eating you should only have four seeds and a stem left. Your Mom and him can have coffee together again!
Harvey Kountz says
To the family and friends of Dave Gibbs. Sorry to hear of his passing. He was such a nice and knowledgeable man. One of the last real cowmen. The kind that you wish you could have one more visit with. Harv & Patrice
Mary Ann Murray says
Kim, Kally, Kevin and families, so sorry to hear of the passing of your dad. Memories are so special when loss occurs. Hugs to you all.
Glen and Teena Bollinger says
Always enjoyed visiting with your dad. He knew so much about the history of this area. Our deepest sympathy to your family on your loss. God Bless!
Greg Berger says
To the family of Dave Gibbs. I’m truly sorry of hearing of Dave’s passing. I always enjoyed visiting with him on the phone, or when he came up to the vet clinic, or when we came out to work cows. Dave was truly a decent man who no doubt knew about cows, life, family, God, and how to treat people. He will absolutely be missed by any and all that had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know him. My heartfelt condolences go out to you all during this difficult time. My God rest his soul.
Karen Barnes says
TO ALL OF DAVID’S FAMILY – My heart goes out to each and every one of you at this time of loss – he was a truly fine man and a great friend. I so enjoyed all my visits with David whether by phone or in person. We had many visits about the people and times of Garfield County. I will surely miss him. May all of your good memories over the years be a comfort to you at this time. God Bless all
Anita Wheatley says
So very sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. He was a good neighbor.
Love and prayers for all of you!
Steve and Anita (Thorgaard) Wheatley
Darlyne E Dascher says
Dave Gibbs family — I am so sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. He was a fantastic neighbor, ready to help with anything at any time. He was always my go to person for any help with any ranching problem — probably one of the best cattleman around. Dave will leave a huge hole in this community.
David (Jay) Gibbs says
On behalf of the Jay Gibbs family we express our condolences to Kevin, Kally and Kim. Losing someone like our Cousin David is like losing part of oneself. Most of all we will miss the long phone calls with David as we discussed our mutual interest in our families, the Gibbs legacy, local and world affairs. For me it was also an Eastern Montana ranching education listening to him describe his typical life on the ranch as well as the GIbbs family early sheep ranching business. He was certainly a knowledgeable, kind and thoughtful man. His legacy will live on through his family and friends. He will certainly be missed.
Roscoe and Sharon Schmidt says
It has been an honor to have known David over the years,such an easy person to talk to, His legacy will live on because of his true demeanor and examples.
Glenda (Gigi) Blankers says
Sorry to hear of my cousin David’s passing. I have fond memories of visits to the Roy Gibbs’ ranch and visits with my older “cowboy cousins”. I’m thankful I was able to attend our Gibbs’ family reunion in Miles City a few years ago and good conversations with David and other family. My prayers to Kevin, Kally and Kim and families as you miss your Dad. He was a great guy and an inspiration to his family. God Bless. Glenda (Gigi) Blankers (Jay Gibbs Family)
Brandi Lynn Laubach Wilkinson says
Kim, Kally, & Kevin…
So sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. He was one of the last true cowboys. I have many fond memories of him when Kimmy & I palled around at the ranch. Sending you all love.
Louella Durfey says
Gibbs family sorry for your loss Dave will be truly be missed
David Rowland Gibson says
Condolences to Dave’s Family,
Rodney and Marta Asche says
TO THE FAMILY OF DAVE – Very sorry for your families loss.
We had the pleasure of knowing Dave through discussions of feed for cattle.
He was always interesting to talk with, and we respected his knowledge of his livestock.
Thoughts and prayers to you all.
Rodney and Marta Asche – Hess Feeds
Tim OBrien says
Kevin, Kally, Kim and the rest of the Gibbs family,
Hearing about another loss from the old Weldon area is always tough and this one hits hard. Your family is the reason we moved to Montana when your dad hired mine to be a ranch hand. Some of the best years of his life. The support you gave us following Dad’s accident and the continued support to our whole family through the years is much appreciated. It’s good to know that Dad and Donnie Tew will have someone else to ride with.
Prayers,
The O’Brien’s – Judy, Tim, Janis, and Suzy
Candy Bollinger Huseby says
So sorry for your loss. I sure enjoyed visiting with him. Thoughts and prayer. God Bless
scott taylor says
To Dave’s Family…What a wonderful guy, I liked and respected Dave from the first time I met him….I can’t help but tell a couple of funny stories…Whenever I asked permission to hunt, he would always ask, “How many are there?” I would always reply, “Just me and the Lord.” He would always say, “So..just the 2 of you huh?” For years!….Another time, my van was overheating and it was getting dark and over 20 below…I straggled into Dave’s place where he offered to let me take his pick-up home to Wolf Point and come back the next day…I said, “Dave ..you don’t have to do that.” “Yeah..I do..otherwise I’d have to feed ya!” I’ve lost touch with him the last couple of years and regret not calling him…God Bless you all….Scott Taylor
Michele Mickolio says
Prayers for comfort and peace to all who knew David and his family. What a wonderful man.
Wyatt H Gibbs says
Words cant describe
R I P
LAWRENCE HARRISON GIBBS