Obituary of Charles R. Gibbs
Charles R. "Charlie" Gibbs
Age 84, of Morris,IL, and formerly of Jacksonville, FL, passed peacefully after a lengthy illness on Monday, December 30, 2024 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee, IL.
Charlie was born November 21, 1940 in Chicago, IL, and was raised in Valparaiso, IN, growing up on grandma and grandpa Ohlsen's farm. After graduating from Valparaiso High School, Charlie attended Purdue University, where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering and created lifelong bonds with many classmates and Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity brothers. Upon graduation, he was hired by Underwriters' Laboratories in Chicago and began his graduate work toward an MBA at Northwestern University.
After service in the Illinois Army National Guard, Charlie joined IBM as a Systems Engineer, working with the System/360 and specializing in hospitals. He was with IBM from 1964-68, at which time he left to form his own corporation with his friend and manager, Tom Huguelet. Together they went on to develop the first software for pharmacy management systems that included contraindications of drug interactions for use in hospitals. In 1973, Charlie became the president of the new Gibbs Computer Systems, Inc., based out of Jacksonville, FL. From 1973-84, Gibbs Computer Systems provided the facilities management services for Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville, as well as several other Florida hospitals.
The hospital software products developed by Gibbs Computer Systems were marketed by Healthcare Management Services, and in 1987, Charles formed First Coast Systems, marketing software to hospitals in over 100 hospitals in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Guam, with Charlie serving as the CEO. First Coast was recognized as one of the "Top 100 Information Systems vendors" by Healthcare Informatics, and one of the Florida 100 and Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies numerous times. The company grew steadily until being purchased by Keane,Inc of Boston in 1999.
Charlie was a licensed pilot since 1961, flying his own aircraft, as well as having a commercial pilot's license. He served as president of the American Bonanza Society, as well as serving on their board of directors. Since coming to Morris, he especially enjoyed his outings and lunches with the SMBC, a group with which the members have maintained very close relationships. He also belonged to several other aviation organizations and has testified before Congress on general aviation matters relating to safety. He was a lifetime member of EAA Chapter 95 and flew Young Eagles for many years.
He served as a chairman and relief organizer for the building of a school in Haiti under a Methodist volunteers program. There, he made many dear friends that he stayed in touch with to this day. His other charitable endeavors included serving on committees facilitating the use of EKGs in area high schools through the “Rhythm of the Youth” program, vision enhancing through the Ortiz eye clinic missionary program and I-Care International, as well as the Morris Hospital Annual Hospital Ball.
He was a faithful member of Immaculate Conception Church in Morris, a member of the Investment Committee of the Community Foundation of Grundy County, Morris Rotary Club, and a former member of the Jacksonville Rotary Club. He also enjoyed skiing, cruising, and travel.
Charlie will be remembered fondly for his humble and friendly demeanor by all, especially his family. With a sadness for his loss, but appreciation and love for the time we shared, we say goodbye to a genuine human being who truly lived by the golden rule.
His survivors include his wife of 23 years, Lucille "Lucy" (Nykiel) Gibbs; his children, Katherine "Katie" (Michael) Wyrosdick, Steve (Amy) Gibbs and their families; step-children, Scott Noe, Phil (Suzanne) Noe and their families as well as Lucy's children, Karamath (Mahlaqa) Khan, Soraya Khan and their families all of whom cherished Charlie. His half-brother, John and half-sister Kathy will also remember him with a special fondness for his uplifting spirit. He is also survived by his loving cousins, Susan (Joe) VanMetre and Warren (Gail) Onken.
Visitation for Charlie Gibbs will be Friday, January 3, 2024 from 4-8 p.m. at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home 1201 W. Rt 6 at Deerpath Drive in Morris. Funeral services will be Saturday, January 4, 2024, beginning at 9:15 a.m. from the funeral home chapel, then proceeding to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 600 E. Jackson St in Morris, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Charlie’s name can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Immaculate Conception School Scholarship Fund.
For more information please call 815-942-5040 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave a condolence.
