Claude Johnson Gibbons peacefully passed away January 6, 2025 in Lewisville, Texas surrounded by his family. Claude was born in Logan, Utah on November 25, 1931, the youngest of six sons to Hyrum Gibbons and Claudia Zina Johnson Gibbons. He grew up with his brothers, farming the hills and caring for dairy cows in South Logan. He attended Logan High School, and Utah State University, graduating with a degree in Animal Husbandry and Genetics with a minor in mathematics. He competed on the Dairy Cow Judging Team, traveling throughout the intermountain west. After college, Claude served in the Air Force during the Korean War.

Though she was aware that life with Claude would never be boring, Diane Hansen Gibbons, agreed to marry him, and on July 18, 1958, they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Logan Temple. They built a home in Logan, Utah and worked an irrigated family farm alongside his father. Their first two sons were born while they were living there .In 1962, Claude and Diane purchased a dry farm in Arbon, Idaho. Claude, being raised on a dairy farm, didn’t know how to operate a dry farm, but felt confident he could “figure it out by doing what the neighbors were doing.” It was there they completed their family by welcoming another daughter, a son, and one more daughter. In total, they raised three sons and two daughters.

Claude was always looking for ways to make life better for those around him. After moving to Arbon, he went from phone company to phone company until he found one that would be willing to bring phone service to the valley. He was an avid letter writer, frequently writing in to local newspapers and his congressmen. He worked hard as a member of various national farm organizations, lobbying to improve conditions for farmers nation-wide. He also quietly served individuals he saw in need, donating money and other resources without any judgement or hesitation. His Christlike love for others was a hallmark of his life, and many who were blessed by his actions never knew the source of their blessing.

Claude always had a positive outlook on life, even amidst the challenges of raising a family on a dry farm. From broken farm equipment, dry seasons, injured family members or the basic challenges of life, whenever something went wrong his response was always, ”The only people who don’t have these kinds of problems are people who don’t have these kinds of blessings.” Then he would get to work on a solution. Later on in life, while struggling with his health, when asked how he was doing, he would respond with a smile and say, “I am able to sit up, take in nourishment and enjoy life, so I am doing great.”

After the family was raised, Claude continued his legacy of service, serving with his wife for  4 years in the Idaho Falls temple, volunteering to help build the Nauvoo temple. Later, he served two nineteen-month missions in Nairobi, Kenya. He loved the world and always sought to appreciate and contribute to its beauty.

He was a giant of a man in every way that mattered. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, all of his brothers, sisters-in-law and oldest son, Kenneth Hansen Gibbons. He is survived by his wife, Diane Hansen Gibbons, children: Scott (Debra Foutz) Gibbons, Arizona,
DianaLyn (Daren) Perkins, Texas, Collin (Andrea Fauber), Wisconsin and Joylyn Gibbons, Iowa along with 19 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 17th at 12 noon at the Clarkston LDS church in Clarkston, Utah. Viewings will be held Thursday evening from 7-8 p.m. and again prior to the service from 10:30-11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family ask that you make a donation to Primary Children’s Hospital.