Frederick M. "Fred" Gibby

Fred passed away on Friday, May 29, 2020 in Battle Creek, Michigan. He was a native of Mobile, Alabama and a resident of St. Joseph, Michigan. He attended Dudley Elementary where he played Little League baseball and Northwestern Junior High where he played football and sang in the chorus. He graduated Battle Creek Central High School where he was a member of the Math Club, Spanish Club, and Optimist Youth Appreciation Week. Fred attended the University of Michigan for one year. Anyone who knew Fred knew he was a lifelong diehard fan of Michigan sports, especially football and basketball. He received his Associates degree in Business at Kellogg Community College where he played basketball and was an avid tennis player, continuing to play those sports into adulthood. Fred then transferred to Western Michigan University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with a minor in Accounting. On August 14, 1971, he married the love of his life, Loretta Christensen, at First Congregational Church in Battle Creek; she survives. Fred worked in Human Resources for Whirlpool Corporation and then at Lakeland Regional Hospital as Vice President for Human Resources in St. Joseph and Director of Human Resources in Niles. Fred was a man of faith. He loved his God and Savior, Jesus Christ; in his glory especially when worshipping through song. He participated in multiple choirs from his childhood at Second Missionary Baptist Church in Battle Creek, through adulthood at Pilgrim Congregational UCC in St. Joseph. He was a Charter member of Pilgrim Congregational UCC, and over the years served as Moderator, Trustee, and Diaconate member. Fred was a moderator and representative to the Southwest Association of Michigan Conference of UCC, and a member of the Church and Ministry Committee for the Southwest Association Michigan Conference and UCC Board of Directors. Fred was heavily involved in his community and was supportive of many missions. He was on the Board of Directors for Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Boys and Girls Club of Berrien and Cass County, Y.M.C.A., LINK Crisis Center, Samaritan Center, Berrien County Cancer Society, Out Center, United Way, and Cathedral School of Arts. Fred was a member of St. Joseph Kiwanis Club, Benton Harbor Sunrise Rotary, Band of Brethren in Christ, and Stewardship Board. Fred was on the Personnel Committee of Curious Kids' Museum, volunteered in Probation 5th District Court, served as Delegate to General Synod in Oakland, CA, Delegate to General Synod in Columbus, OH, and sang with the Lake Michigan College Choir in Benton Harbor. Fred was a loving son, son-in-law, husband, father, brother, uncle and Grampy to his precious grandson, Aidan. In his spare time, Fred was a voracious reader. His smile could brighten a room and he was a role model for young Black men. Fred's patient and wise counsel, compassion, kindness, love and support for both family and community was evident to everyone who knew him and he will be missed by many. In addition to Loretta, survivors included Fred’s children, Nicole Gibby Munguia and Brian (Lydia) Gibby; grandchild Aidan Gibby; siblings, Deborah English, Meredith (Rudy) Brown, James Gibby Jr. and Zannie Gibby, and sister-in-law Lorraine Christensen; nieces and nephews, Arik (Nadine) Brown, Lynsey English, and Erin and Christopher Evans; great-niece and nephew Alexis and Joshua Brown. Fred was preceded in death by his parents. He leaves behind a great legacy and his memory will live on.

Information from Battle Creek Enquirer, Battle Creek, Michigan online on June 5, 2020; and Fred’s daughter Nicole