Vernon Lee Gibbs, age 94, of Crescent Drive, Mt. Sterling, passed away Monday, October 22, 2018, at St. Joseph Hospital in Mt. Sterling. Born December 8, 1923, at Jeffersonville in Montgomery County, he was the son of the late Benjamin C. Gibbs and Dora Sue Murrell Gibbs. Vernon is survived by his loving wife of 75 years, Geneva Mae Rogers Gibbs; two daughters: Connie Sue McCarty (James McCarty, Sr.) and Brenda Lee Moore (Lonnie Moore), of Mount Sterling; three grandsons: James Carol McCarty, Jr. (Tammy), James Lee Moore (Shelly), Bruce Clayton McCarty (Tracie); two granddaughters: Joni Mae Branham (Philip) and Tammy Rochelle McKinney (Tony); thirteen great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and one sister: Phyllis J. Read, Professor of English Emeritus, The City University of New York. He was preceded in death by one great grandchild, Jonathan Terry, and two sisters, Monna Abrams and Loriena Wagers. Gibbs was a Petty Officer First Class and Radioman First Class in the U.S. Navy during WWII, where he served in the Philippines and spent time on the LST 617 in the South Pacific. He was in charge of Radio, Radar, and Signal as Petty Officer RM2C. Gibbs, while an Electronic Development Technician at the Lexington Blue Grass Army Depot, was a major developer of a miniature radio transmitter to be used in gathering weather data in space flights. The Lexington Herald covered this revolutionary invention, with photos, on the front page of its April 29, 1964, edition. An electrical engineering expert for the U.S. Government, Gibbs was the recipient of several commendations and was asked to be a member of a group of experts whose role was to assist Wernher von Braun, Engineering and Space Architect, in working on missile nose cone design at White Sands, New Mexico. An employee at Lexington Blue Grass Army Depot for 25 years, Gibbs received an official commendation from the Department of the Army for his role as Electronics Production Controller at that depot (1968). Gibbs was also an electronics consultant for Dyna-Corp, Dallas, Texas. Moving with his wife and daughters to the Loire Valley of France, Gibbs was instrumental in construction and management of a new depot. He was also awarded membership in the Gold Club of “the great Commonwealth of Kentucky,” part of the Department of Defense Military Affiliated Radio System and was also a Kentucky Colonel. As a true Renaissance man, Gibbs was also a lover of nature, and as a hiker completed the entire Appalachian Trail, making him a member of an historical group called “End-to-Enders.” The United Press International (UPI) covered his story, including a photo of Gibbs receiving an official plaque. He authored a mystery novel, The Long Thin Line: Murder on the Appalachian Trail, published by McDowell Publications (2004). Gibbs wrote three books on the genealogy of his family on both his father’s and mother’s side. A deacon and Sunday school teacher at Spring Street Baptist Church, Gibbs often gave Sunday sermons in the absence of the church’s minister and performed wedding, baptismal, and dedication services for members of his immediate family. He was a Past Master of Mount Sterling Masonic Lodge No. 23 and a member for more than 60 years. A modest and loving man, Vernon always acknowledged the important roles that his wife of over 75 years, Geneva, and his daughters, Brenda and Connie, played in his life's achievements. Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Thursday, October 25, 2018, at Spring Street Baptist Church with Pastor Larry Robinson officiating. Graveside services will follow in Machpelah Cemetery with grandson James McCarty, Jr. officiating and full military honors presented by Montgomery County American Legion Post No. 22. Pallbearers: James McCarty, Sr., Lonnie Moore, James McCarty, Jr., Jimmy Lee Moore, Bruce McCarty, Tony McKinney, Philip Branham. Honorary pallbearers: Bill Rogers, Bill Johnson, Charles Bartley, Don Read, Bill Smathers, Steve Gullett, Joni Branham, Tammy McKinney. Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, October 24, 2018, at Spring Street Baptist Church, 442 Spring Street, Mt. Sterling, KY 40353 and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at the church. Masonic rites will be presented at 7 p.m. Wednesday by Mount Sterling Masonic Lodge No 23. Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals in Morehead is caring for arrangements.