The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

Howard Eugene Gibbs quietly and peacefully slipped into eternity surrounded by his family on Jan. 14, 2022 at the age of 93.

Howard was born in Haxtun on Dec. 27, 1928. He was the second child of Everett Eugene Gibbs and Minnie Carrie Becker Gibbs. His older brother Lavern and younger siblings Delores, Donna, Marlys, Glen and Janice completed the family. Howard's early years were spent south of Dailey where he attended South Rockland School. The home along the creek is where his onery sisters locked their brothers in a shed by nailing the door shut. The family moved to the Highland Center area south of Haxtun where he attended the local school. Howard remembers walking home from school grabbing the heads off of sunflowers when he noticed one felt different and throwing it as far as he could when he discovered it was a giant spider. After completing some high school Howard quit to help his dad on the farm. He helped build the house 10 miles south of Haxtun that would be the family's final move.

Howard's uncle married a girl from the Peetz area. He met the sister of his uncle's new wife at a Christmas party, Helen Elaine Hebbel. Howard soon knew every highway, backroad, shortcut and scenic route between Haxtun and Peetz. Howard proposed to Helen on the steps of her family home at the base of the Louis Canyons, standing one step lower so he could look into her eyes when he asked her if she would marry him. They were married in that house on Sept. 28, 1952.

Howard was drafted into the Army and after basic training moved Helen and their new son Michael Howard to El Paso, Texas where he was stationed. Randall Terry was born in a military hospital there. Howard served from 1953-1955. He was very proud of his service and talked about it often. He was a certified fireman responsible for putting out any fires the test rockets might cause. He also armed rockets which required a security clearance. He received a commendation for being perfectly dressed in his uniform. Howard was honorably discharged with the rank of corporal.

Howard and Helen returned to Colorado living for a time at Everett's farm in their trailer home that made the trip from Sterling to Haxtun to El Paso and back before moving to a farm south of Paoli where Lucinda Rae and Rhonda Sue were born. They purchased their own farm five miles south of Haxtun where they raised their family. It was a well-rounded farm with Hereford and Brown Swiss cattle, hogs and chickens for fresh milk, eggs and a constant supply of meat. Howard was a wheat farmer, grew his own hay and also farmed for his dad.

Howard had many other jobs during his lifetime even working as a Chevrolet mechanic for one week when he was asked to rebuild an engine that was scattered all over the dealership floor and put it back into the car. He worked for other farmers, once driving a combine from south of Paoli to north of Chappell, Neb. and several years of winter campaigns at the Sterling sugar beet factory. He was a substitute school bus driver for his uncle and drove a truck hauling a combine through Dodge City, Kan. when he worked on his cousin's custom harvesting crew. Howard was always willing to help out. When a neighbor passed away he milked their cows even though he had never used a milking machine before. Howard would have liked to have been a veterinarian. He did his own animal husbandry. The vet once wondered why Howard had called him because it looked like he could have done the procedure himself.

Howard was a strong, hard-working man with determination and a can-do never quit attitude. He was a loyal member of The American Legion for over 50 years serving at one time as commander of the local post.

Howard loved his family and leaves behind Helen, his loving wife of 69 years; sons Michael and Randall; daughters Lucinda and husband Patrick Wagner and Rhonda and husband Timothy Graber; grandchildren Bryan and wife Jenny Gibbs, Brandon and wife Adi Gibbs, Hannah and Bethany Gibbs, Damien and wife Kamie Wagner, Mariah Wagner, Nathan Wagner, Aaron and wife Michelle Wagner, Savanah Guhl, and Kyle and wife Tina Goodwin; great-grandchildren Kaitlynn and Audrey Gibbs, Aaliyah and Kayden Gibbs, Krissy, Kaden, Kaylee, Korbin, Kelton and Atticus Wagner, Amberly and husband Cody Brown, Valarie, Trenton, Daphani and Troidon Allen, Zavian and Zailen Wagner, Shelby DeCoopman and Greysen Wagner, and Rylee and Jaycee Guhl; great-great-grandchildren Barrett and Ivy Brown and baby Brown due this spring; sisters Marlys, Donna and Janice; and several nieces and nephews.

Howard is preceded in death by his parents Everett and Minnie; siblings Lavern, Delores and Glen; and great-grandson Caleb Gibbs.

Services for Howard will be held at the Prairie Home Baptist Church in Haxtun on Jan. 29 at 2 p.m. Howard's ashes will be placed in a simple pine box and buried on the land he called home.

Chaney-Reager Funeral Home and Crematory handled arrangements.