Donald Ray Gibbs, 84, of Burlington, passed away at 9:20 AM Friday, May 22, 2020, at the Great River Klein Center.

Born December 16, 1935, in Brilliant, AL, he was the son of Wilburn and Robbie Ray (Scruggs) Gibbs. On July 16, 1961, he married Larita Irene Haffner at Sharon Presbyterian Church, near Primrose. She passed away on August 12, 2014.

He graduated from Moline High School before attending Moline Junior College. Don left Moline Junior College for Iowa Wesleyan where he played baseball and basketball. He graduated from Iowa Wesleyan with a B.A. in physical education and received an M.A. from Truman State University. 

Don coached boys' basketball at Harmony High School for seven seasons and South Tama for three seasons. After moving to Burlington in 1968, he coached the Grayhounds until 1975. After taking a year off from coaching, he coached Burlington Notre Dame for a season before returning to Burlington High School where the team went to state tournaments in 1980, 1982, 1984 and 1985. After he retired in 2013, he coached middle school sports and was an adviser to high school coaches and teams. Over the years, he still kept in contact with his former players. Don also taught American History and Social Studies for Burlington School district. He was co-owner of G and W Painting for 30 years and was a sports radio broadcasting show on KBUR called the Don & Don Show.

Don was the first 'triple crown' alumni to receive every honor Iowa Wesleyan bestows on alumni. He volunteered  his time on painting campus parking lots. Don was named District Coach of the year 5 times by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. In 2005, Don was inducted into the IWC Athletic Hall of Fame and served on IWC's Hall of Fame Selection Committee. He served on Iowa Wesleyan University and Burlington Community School District committees. Don received the Burlington High School Hall of Honor Award in 2008, the Burlington High School court was named in his honor and he received the BHS outstanding teacher award for 1974 and 1975. 

Don enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing, traveling, especially to Alabama, writing stories about his life and family, doing crosswords, watching and attending sporting events. He was an avid fan of the University of Alabama Football team. He loved his family and grandchildren. Don was always smiling, he was cheerful and kindhearted, very charismatic, and was a friend to everyone. 

Survivors include his children, Shelly Strawhacker of Burlington, Rusty (Brenda) Gibbs of Pocahontas, Angela (John) Abbott of Fort Dodge and Randy (Angie) Gibbs of Fort Madison; 15 grandchildren, Trenton, Caroline, Mackenzie, Nick, Nate, Josh, Tyler, Justin, Hiliary, Hannah, Trevor, Trey, Reighan and Bayley Gibbs; and four great grandchildren, Kayson, Emery, Tod and Cora, special family friend, Sean Smull and many nieces and nephews

Besides his beloved wife, he was proceeded in death by his parents, one daughter, Laura and one sister, Sandy.

Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.

An informal visitation will be Friday, May 29, 2020 from noon until 7:00 PM with the family greeting friends from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home.

Memorials have been established for the Purple and Gray Foundation and Special Needs Foundation of Des Moines County.