Charles Richard “Dick” Gibbs

Charles Richard “Dick” Gibbs, 83, passed away Tuesday, April 8, 2014.A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, in Ash Creek Cemetery in Azle under the auspicies of Azle Masonic Lodge #601, A.F. & A.M. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Biggers Funeral Home.To honor his life, donations may be made to the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 2222 Welborn St., Dallas, Texas 75219.Dick was born July 5, 1930, in Plainview. He was raised in Brownwood, which he considered his true home. He graduated from Brownwood High School and attended Howard Payne University. Dick had polio when he was 4 and was completely paralyzed and was told he would never be able to walk. Through his determination and care at the Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas, he lived a full, wonderful and independent life.He was married to Sharon R. McClendon on September 15, 1967, in Azle. Most of his work life was as a small-business owner. He built and remodeled many homes with Ray-M Real Estate in Azle. Later in life, he and his family owned and operated Lake Worth Videos for many years.Dick was a Master Mason of Azle Masonic Lodge #601, A.F. & A.M., and 32nd degree of the Valley of Fort Worth Scotish Rite. He was a Methodist.He never met a stranger and was referred to as “the sweetest man on earth” by all who knew him. Dick loved his family, fishing, barbershop singing and his pickup.He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Ida Gibbs; brothers, Bob, Tom and Dan Gibbs; father-in-law, Ray Tidwell; and mother-in-law, Pearl Tidwell.He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Sharon Gibbs; sons, Ricky (Debra), Brian Gibbs (Debbie) and Casey Gibbs; sisters-in-law, Delores Burton and Sandra McClendon; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; numerous friends and special “like sons,” Ronald Lankford (Crystal) and Rod Cunningham (Amanda); “like daughter,” Pam Morgan (Tina); and many who called him “Dad.”