Kenneth Kenny Gibbons

Kenneth Kenny Gibbons, 68, of Mexico, died at 7:15 a.m. Thursday, April 3, 2008, at his home in Mexico.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Pickering Funeral Home with Chris Harley officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 5 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in East Lawn Memorial Park.

Mr. Gibbons was born on Jan. 13, 1940, in Doniphan, a son of Paul Franklin and Delta Etolia (Holland) Gibbons. He was a graduate of Mexico High School. On Nov. 5, 1960, in Mexico, he married Doris Jean Hinten, who survives at the home.

Ken started working at a very early age helping farmers in the fields and helping his dad haul hay and farm. He went to Alabama in 1957 to live with his aunt and uncle and worked on laying the first pipeline from Alabama across Florida.

Ken was always a very honest and hard worker, which was the foundation for his company. He owned and operated Gibbons Trenching and Excavating for 47 years until his retirement in October 2007.

He was stricken with a rare blood disease, amyloidosis, in May 2004. He fought a very valiant fight and would never give up, keeping a positive attitude.

He was a member of Southside Christian Church, the Midwest Trail Riders Association and the Blue Ribbon Coalition. He loved adventure and took many motorcycle trips all over the United States and across the country of Mexico.

In addition to his wife, survivors include three sons, Kenneth Ray Gibbons Jr. and wife Lynn, Thompson, Tracy Gene Gibbons, Mexico, and Kyle Wayne Gibbons, Chesterfield; two daughters, Donna Sue Robison and husband Mark, Laddonia, and Sanji Lee Huntsman and husband Rusty, Overland Park, Kans.; two brothers, John Lawrence Gibbons and wife Dorothy, and Dale Franklin Gibbons and wife Cheryl, all of Mexico; two sisters, Shirley Jean Barker and husband Howard, Mexico and Betty Ruth Galen and husband Larry, Prescott Valley, Ariz.; 9 grandchildren, Kendall Ray Gibbons, Greg Lee Stemme and wife Tara, Garrett Ryan Gibbons, Leanne Michelle Robison, Taylor Mitchell Robison, Luke Joseph Robison, Grant Kenneth Huntsman, Kate Elizabeth Huntsman, and John Christopher Huntsman; one great grandson, Brock David Stemme; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

His parents preceded him in death.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Southside Christian Church Relay for Life team in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.