Rex Lee Gibbons

April 11, 1934 - May 17, 2018

Rex Lee Gibbons, 84, of Oskaloosa, died Thursday, May 17, 2018, at the Pella Regional Hospital in Pella. He was born April 11, 1934, in Oskaloosa, the son of Paul and (Virginia) Helene Miller Gibbons. Rex graduated from Oskaloosa High School with the class of 1952. Following graduation Rex enlisted in the United States Navy. After some time in the Navy he transferred to the United States Marine Corps. Rex served his country for over 25 years in the military, he earned many accolades during his military career and served all over the world. He retired with the rank of Gunnery Sergeant from the United States Marine Corps in 1977. On August 12, 1981, he was united in marriage to Dixie Tarr. Upon his retirement from the Marine Corps, Rex worked various places, he was a sheriff deputy in Liberal, Kansas, then went to work at Pepsi, he was a security guard at National Beef, he also worked for a time at Hy-Vee and Cargill. He enjoyed golfing and being on his computer. He is survived by his wife, Dixie Gibbons of Oskaloosa; a son and his wife, Gary and Pat Gibbons of Oskaloosa; three grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; a sister and her husband, Flora and Varnell Nichols of Arizona; and two brothers and their wives, Jerry and Carol Gibbons and Pat and Shirley Gibbons all of California. Rex was preceded in death by his parents, a son Terry Gibbons; a brother, Harry Gibbons; and a sister, Phyllis Diskin. A graveside memorial service and burial with military honors will be held Friday, May 25, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, Iowa. Those wishing to attend the ceremony will need to meet at the administration building on the Iowa Veterans Cemetery grounds by 9:00 a.m. Friday. As was Rex’s wish his body has been cremated and no visitation is planned. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.