Douglas Charles Gibbs

Doug Gibbs, 60, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, of natural causes at his home in Frenchtown.

He was born Jan. 6, 1954, in Missoula to Charles Roy Gibbs and Ruth (Christensen) Gibbs.

Doug attended Lowell Grade School in Missoula then went on to Hellgate High School for a time. He decided to get his GED and join the service after turning 18. Doug spent most of his armed service from 1972-1974 in Hawaii.

After the Army, Doug worked several jobs before going to work at White Pine Sash Co. This is where he met his wife, Brenda Bush. Doug worked his way through the ranks at White Pine from being a worker to a set-up man to a working foreman before settling in as a millwright.

In 1991, after 16 years, Doug left White Pine and accepted a job at Stone Container, where he started out as a papermaker while waiting for a millwright position to open up. He was accepted as a Grade A Millwright and also worked as leadman for many years. After 19 years with Stone Container, they the doors in 2010. Stone also closed a door for Doug, who was ailing at that time but would not accept he needed medical attention.

Even though Doug was an avid hunter and fisherman, he had given up these joys as the pain in his legs got to be too much for him.

Doug married Brenda Jo Bush on June 28, 1980. They had three wonderful children: Danielle Gibbs Mattix (Nathan), Duane Michael Gibbs and Stephanie Anne Gibbs. Doug also has three beautiful grandchildren, Olivia Brenn, Gavin Phillip and Bristol Ruth Mattix.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Gibbs and Ruth Gibbs, and his brother, Randall Lynn Gibbs. Doug has two surviving brothers, Gary Gibbs (Karin) of Great Falls and Greg Gibbs (Kathy) of Missoula; four nieces, Leslie (Rusty) Keller of Havre. Christine Gibbs of Great Falls, Shawna (Jimmy) Clegg of Phoenix and Traci (Russ) Glutch of Boise, Idaho; six great-nephews; and three great-nieces.

As per Doug's request, he is to be cremated and no formal service will be held. He did ask for his family and friends to celebrate his life with a party. The family will have this celebration at the family home in Frenchtown (17965 Hodown Lane) on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations Watson Children's Shelter or Head Start-Child Start Inc. of Missoula
Read Douglas Gibbs's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.