Dr. James Gibbons

Dr. James Joseph ("Jim") Gibbons joined his mother and father in heaven July 1, 2008 after having an apparent heart attack at his home. He was 61.

Jim was born in Springfield, MO on October 31, 1946 and was a graduate of Parkview High School, and Drury University, having obtained a Bachelor's Degree cum laude in Chemistry and Mathematics in 1968. While at Drury, Jim was a member of the Seven Sages, Omicron Delta Kappa, president of the student affiliate of the American Chemical Society and Phi Eta Sigma. In 1966, Jim was on the General Electric College Bowl, representing Drury against the University of Oklahoma. He received his PhD in Physical Chemistry from Louisiana State University in 1975, where he was treasurer of the Alpha Mu chapter of Phi Lambda Upsilon, the national honorary chemistry society, and a member of Phi Kappa Pi, Sigma Pi Sigma, and Alpha Chi Sigma. Jim was awarded an honorary degree of LHD from St. Xavier University in Calcutta, India in 1976.

Jim's professional experience includes research chemist, Hoffman-Taff Division, Syntex Pharmaceuticals; director, Drury Research Institute; coordinator, departments of chemistry, math and physics, Drury; manager, Analytical Services, Dayco Technical Center; visiting scientist & lecturer in chemistry, Jadavpur University and distinguished scientist exchange program, Kalyani University, India; visiting associate professor in chemistry, University of Oklahoma; area director, AHP Environmentals Inc. and laboratory supervisor, Global Drug Testing Services. Jim taught chemistry at Drury University for over ten years and continued to teach night classes at Drury until the time of his death. In 1980, he was the Springfield Jaycees Outstanding Young Educator. He also taught classes at the Ozarks Community Technical College and Everest College and worked for the Branson Health Department, the Webster County Health Department, and the Springfield Public Works Department. He published over 300 papers in scientific journals and his research interests included the development of organophilic clays for the encapsulation and containment of hazardous waste by solidification methods.

Jim's professional memberships included fellow of the American Academy for the Advancement of Science, the Royal Society of London, and the American Institute of Chemists; member of the American Chemical Society, the American Society of Testing & Materials, the American Nuclear Society, Sigma Xi, the New York Academy of Sciences and chairman, chemistry division, Missouri Academy of Science. He was a certified food safety professional with the National Environmental Health Association and certified pool & spa operator with the National Swimming Pool Foundation.

Jim was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, and an Eagle Scout. He was a Scoutmaster of Troop 1 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Troop 13 in Springfield, Missouri, assistant district commissioner of the Ozark Council, BSA, and was awarded the Silver Beaver Award for his work with the Boy Scouts. He was member of the governing board of Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Springfield, Missouri. He was a volunteer reenactor for various Civil War groups and for the Gray-Campbell Farmstead. He played softball on various church and park teams. He was a volunteer building sets at the Springfield Little Theatre in the early 1970s.

Jim joined the Army Reserve in 1968 and served for 30 years, most of the time in the 14th Preventive Medicine Unit, where he eventually became the unit's commander. He was activated for Operation Desert Shield/Storm/Saber and deployed for six months to Saudi Arabia. For his service in Southwest Asia, he was awarded the Army Commendation medal, the Kuwait Liberation medal, the Southwest Asia Service medal with two oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Service medal, and was nominated for the Bronze Star. He retired from the Army Reserves in 2006 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Jim was a past trustee and ritual director of the Abou Ben Adhem temple, A.A.O.M.S. and past commander of the Shrine's Legion of Honor; past master of United Lodge #5, A.F. & A.M. and past president of Springfield No. 51, High Twelve Club; past grand orator of the Grand Lodge of Missouri; past high priest of Springfield Chapter No. 15, R.A M.; past illustrious master of Zabud Council No. 25, R. & S.M.; past commander of St. John's Commandary No. 20; past grand generalissimo of the Grand Commandary of Missouri; 33rd degree mason and past venerable master of the Lodge of Perfection, A. & A. Scottish Rite, Valley of Joplin; past president of the Metropolitan Scottish Rite Club; past worthy patron of Springfield Chapter, Order of Eastern Star; past royal patron, Jewel Court # 16, Order of the Amaranth; past grand royal patron, Grand Court of Missouri, Order of Amaranth; deputy supreme royal patron of the Order of the Amaranth; former chairman of Springfield Assembly #25, International Order of Rainbow Girls; member of the state executive board, Grand Assembly, Order of Rainbow Girls; life member of the DeMolay Legion of Honor; chairman of Farnsworth Chapter, Order of DeMolay; member of the executive officer's staff, Missouri State Conclave, Order of DeMolay for Boys; knight mason of the Tipperary Council No. 62, Grand Council of Knight Mason of the U.S.; past monarch with enchanted lantern award of Al O Zark Grotto, Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Mystic Realm; past chancellor commander of Syracuse Lodge No. 437, Knights of Pythias; past grand chancellor of Knights of Pythias Grand Lodge of Missouri; member of La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux (40 & 8); knight york grand cross of honour with one quadrant of Priory No. 17, Knights of the York Cross of Honor; member of the Royal Order of Scotland; life member of American Legion Post 69; life member of VFW Post 639; esquire of Elks Lodge No. 409; member of Queen City Lodge #12, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; secretary of the Ozark Mountain Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution; secretary-elect of the Missouri Society, Sons of the American Revolution.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, John Robert Gibbons and Francis Jane (Hardy) Gibbons. He is survived by his brother, Robert Hardy Gibbons and Robert's family.

A memorial service for Jim will be held at Herman Lohmeyer Funeral Home at 10:00 am July19, 2008, with interment with Masonic honors at Maple Park Cemetery following the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children or the Masonic Home of Missouri.