Ronald Dean Gibbins, 79, of Texarkana, Texas, went to be with the Lord on Friday, January 30, 2026, at St. Michael’s Hospital in Texarkana. He was born on April 5, 1946, in Storm Lake, Iowa, to Walter Douglas and Julia Margaret Gibbins.
Ronald grew up on a farm near Nemaha, Iowa, where he worked alongside his father and eleven siblings. He was an active member of 4-H throughout his high school years while attending Sacred Heart Catholic School in Early, Iowa. He had a deep love for the outdoors and enjoyed hunting raccoons, quail, coyotes, and whatever else he could with his .410 shotgun.
In June 1960, Ronald’s father passed away while working on the farm. At just 14 years old, as the oldest child, Ronald stepped up to help support his family and continue the farm’s operations.
After graduating from Sacred Heart High School on May 31, 1966, Ronald enlisted in the United States Army. He completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. In 1967, he deployed to Wertheim, Germany for mission preparation before being forward deployed to the Republic of Vietnam on May 9, 1968.
While serving in Vietnam, Ronald was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Division, known as the “Headhunters,” as a Field Communications Crewman. He served as the “eyes and ears” of the Air Cavalry, supporting reconnaissance and search-and-destroy missions, including notable operations during the Tet Offensive. Ronald completed a one-year combat tour at multiple locations throughout Vietnam.
On July 5, 1969, Ronald was honorably discharged from active duty and joined the Army Reserve, where he was assigned to the 325th Quartermaster Battalion at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base in Kansas City, Missouri. He concluded his military career with the rank of Staff Sergeant, completing 18 years of dedicated service to his beloved United States.
On July 5, 1969, Ronald married Karen Ann Wittrock at the United Methodist Church in Early, Iowa. From this union were born two children, Walter Dean and Jill Jeannine.
Ronald worked for many years in the Kansas City area as an air conditioning and heating technician, including employment with A.B. May Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Electrical, and later with Johnson Heating and Cooling.
On March 22, 1987, he married Myra Claire Peeks at First Lutheran Church in Texarkana, Texas, and they shared the remainder of his life together.
Ronald later began working for the Federal Aviation Administration at the Kansas City Air Route Traffic Control Center in Olathe, Kansas, as an Environmental Control Technician. He retired after 25 years of dedicated civil service, completing his third career.
“Ronnie,” as he was affectionately known by family and friends, loved joking, being ornery with his siblings at family reunions, and teasing his nieces and nephews. He faithfully attended basketball games to watch Jill play and proudly coached Walt’s basketball teams. He was known as a meticulous, skilled, and hardworking HVAC technician and for never hesitating to help others in their time of need.
Later in life, Ronald was fully immersed and baptized at Rush Creek Church in Arlington, Texas. He lived a fulfilling life as a devoted Christian and faithful prayer warrior.
Ronald will be remembered as a loving husband, father, “Gramps,” brother, and friend to all whose lives he touched. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Julia Gibbins; sisters Elaine Kay Gibbins, Sandra Ranthum, and Rosemary Fitchett; and brother Anthony “Tony” Gibbins.
Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 38 years, Myra Claire Gibbins; children Walter Dean Gibbins and wife Abigail, and Jeannine Farnsworth and husband Jeromie; stepchildren Teresa Goll and husband John, Jay Morris and wife Lori, and Laura Keddington; grandchildren Braden Dean Gibbins, Joseph Allan Farnsworth, and Jaidyn Marie Farnsworth; step-grandchildren Michael Owen Davis, Ashtyn Chancee Guin and husband Josh, Nicholas Goll, Justin Morris, Nader Sheikhan, Amanda Bruce, Morgan Morris, and Elisha Sheikhan; siblings Walter “Doug” Gibbins and wife Jeanne, Patricia “Patty” Bandy, Phillip Gibbins and wife Ruth, Marlene Telschaw and husband Ron, Joan Hatch and husband Larry, Michael “Mike” Gibbins and wife Sue, and Marion Gibbins and wife Sue; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, family members, and friends.