Henry “Hank” Gibbs was born in Cartney, Ark. in the Ozarks to David and Cora Gibbs on Aug. 2, 1924 and passed gently to the Lord on May 18, 2011.

David, a railroad man, and Cora, a nurse, welcomed all to their table during those Depression years.

Along with his siblings, David, Sam and Jean, Henry enjoyed hunting for the family table or fishing the White River. Although Henry left Arkansas by age 14, he had vivid memories and tales to share of swimming with water moccasins and sweeping the errant “ball of lightning” out of the farmyard.

The railroad brought the family to Seattle in the late 1930s, and Henry attended Richmond Beach High School.

Hank enlisted in the Navy at age 17, and he proudly served on the USS Oglethorpe during World War II. Henry met the love of his life, Gladys Kleven, at Fort Lawton (now Discovery Park). They wed in 1946.

Henry worked at Pier 91 for the Navy until the base was shuttered in the late 1960s. He had a second career at Judson Park Caldwell as a building and grounds superintendent.

Many memories were made at the family cabin on Whidbey Island. Henry and Gladys purchased their Sunlight Beach property in 1965. Following retirement, they lived several years full-time on the island. Whidbey always held a special place in their hearts.

In Seattle, Henry and Gladys lived in their tight-knit Bitter Lake neighborhood they called home for over

50 years. Henry was active in church, junior football, politics and the kitchen; there was never a shortage of opinions or friends to share them with. Retirement brought travel, grandkids and health challenges for Gladys.

Hank was a hardworking man who loved to laugh, put his family first, and wasn’t afraid to fight for what he felt was right.

Henry was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Gladys, and was the last surviving Gibbs sibling. Henry was the cherished father of Lorraine Gibbs-Long (Bruce) of Seattle and James of Edmonds, and was a devoted grandpa to Audrey and Helena Long. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Grace Syverson of Tioga, N.D., and Pauline Gibbs of Richmond Beach. Henry leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday,

June 4 at Luther Memorial Church in Seattle. Private interment will be at Bayview Cemetery on Whidbey.