Doug Gibbs, 45, died May 14, 2014, following complications during surgery.
Mr. Gibbs, better known in Plant City as “Gibber,” had been seriously ill and hospitalized for about the past three weeks.
He was born in Lakeland, Florida on June 17, 1968 to Jack T. and Elizabeth (Cook) Gibbs. A lifelong resident of Plant City, Mr. Gibbs graduated from Plant City High School and Hillsborough Community College. He worked side-by-side as a real-estate agent with his father and brother, Ken, in the family real-estate company, established in 1954.
Mr. Gibbs was a local civic leader serving in several organizations, including chairman of Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, past president of Plant City Lions Club, Rotary Club director and chairman of the East Hillsborough County Law Enforcement Appreciation Association, Advisory Council Plant City Photo Archives and History Center, local, state and national associations of Realtors, and church membership Baptist.
Mr. Gibbs was the recipient of the Lions Club International’s International President’s Award and was named a Melvin Jones Fellow. Lions Club of Florida named him a Grand Lion and a Mel Carver Fellow.
As a Realtor, Mr. Gibbs worked in residential, acreage, commercial and industrial properties. Through his work with the chamber, he helped plan Plant City growth that also preserved its small-town heritage.
Survivors include his parents, Jack and Elizabeth Gibbs; a brother, Ken Gibbs and his wife, Debbie; grandmother, Margaret Gibbs; his loving life partner of 11 years, Carole Wright; two nieces, Sara and Anna; and nephews, Andrew, Paul, Luke, Nathaniel and Philip Gibbs.
Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at Plant City’s First Baptist Church, 503 N. Palmer St., Plant City. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m., at Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers family requests memorial to Plant City Rotary Club, PO Box 1404, Plant City, FL. 33564, or East Hillsborough County Law Enforcement Appreciation Association, P.O. Box 4807, Plant City, FL. 33563.
Condolences may be offered at wellsmemorial.com.
The Plant City Times & Observer will have a complete tribute to Mr. Gibbs in the May 22 edition.
