GODDARD, KANSAS: beloved resident Gordon Wesley Tibbitts (Wes) passed away in Wichita, Kansas on Friday May 4,2007.
Wes was born on October 10, 1931 in Lewiston, Utah to Floyd and Marva Bright Tibbitts and was the third of four children. As a young boy he helped run his father's grocery store until his father's passing in 1940, after which he assisted with chores and other various labors at his grandfather's farm. Wes graduated high school in Richmond, Utah in 1949 and soon after wed Darlene La Rue Bowcutt on November 3,1951 in the Logan LDS Temple. The two newly weds later became the proud parents of two children - Sandy and Robert Tibbitts.
Wesley worked many different occupations during his young adult years until he finally moved to Pocatello, Idaho and committed himself to working in the automotive business in 1956. The car business allowed Wesley free roam of all the business districts in Pocatello, Blackfoot, and Idaho Falls and gave him a timeless opportunity to meet and greet. He loved what he did, but more than that he loved the people with whom he worked and the customers and long time friends with whom he exchanged business. As president of the flying club in Pocatello, Wes took great pride in being a father who could take his children for an afternoon ride in the sky or fly them to their favorite fishing venue.
After his wife La Rue passed away in 1979, Wesley spent a great portion of his life residing in Inkom, Idaho where he worked for General Motors as General Manager for many of the area's Chevrolet Dealerships. When he wasn't at the office, he would find himself traveling to Mackay and Salmon, Idaho where he would relax with his family and enjoy boating, fishing, or just going for a long drive in the country.
The last chapters of his life found Wesley in Wichita, Kansas where in 2001 he met and wed the companion with whom he would share the rest of his life ... Vicki Burroughs. Together Wesley and Vicki Tibbitts actively participated in the local LDS community of Goddard, Kansas and became new friends and family to a countless number of people. In his Auburn Hills Ward, Wes served as President of the Sunday School, First Assistant in the High Priest Quorum, and was a High Councilor in the Wichita Stake until his passing.
He is survived by his wife Vicki Tibbitts of Goddard, Kansas; children Sandy (Carl) Espenschade of Brigham City, Utah and Robert Tibbitts of Pocatello, Idaho; grandchildren Alan Espenschade of Moscow, Idaho, and Russell and Randy Tibbitts of Pocatello, Idaho, step-daughter Lynn (Randy) King, step-son,Brad (Jacqueline) Robison and six step grandchildren of Kansas. Also surviving are his two brothers and a sister, Farel (Roma) Tibbitts of Wichita, Kansas, Marilyn Lower of Smithfield, Utah, Ed (Linda) Tibbitts of Hyde Park, Utah.
Graveside services will be held Friday May 11, 2007 at 12:00 pm at the Lewiston City Cemetery under the direction of Allen-Hall Mortuary. A funeral service was held in Wichita Stake, Kansas on May 8th.
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