Age 82, Luray, Va.
Garland H. “Gary” Gibbs, 82, of Luray, Virginia, passed away peacefully on August 26, 2025, at Shenandoah Terrace in New Market, Virginia, after a long battle with dementia.
Born in Newport, Minnesota, Gary graduated from St. Paul Park High School in 1960 and enlisted in the United States Army the very next morning. After completing basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he went on to advanced intelligence training at the Army Security Agency Training Center and School at Fort Devens, Massachusetts.
Gary’s distinguished 20-year Army career spanned assignments in Korea, Vietnam, Turkey, Panama and Ecuador, as well as numerous posts across the United States. He served with the Army Security Agency, the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Vietnam, and the 7th, 8th and 10th Special Forces Groups. He trained Ecuadorian Special Forces, commanded multiple units, and twice volunteered for combat service in Vietnam.
In 1966, he graduated from Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, ranking 21st in his class, and went on to serve as both an Executive Officer and Commander in Special Operations units. He later completed the Military Intelligence Officer Advanced Course, earned his bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Nebraska, and attended the United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College at Quantico.
Gary concluded his career with the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon and the U.S. Army Operational Test and Evaluation Agency, overseeing development of Army-wide tactical electronic warfare and intelligence systems. He retired in 1980 as a Major, after 20 years of honorable and decorated service, and settled with his family along the Shenandoah River in Luray.
His Army awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman Badge, Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, the Air Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and numerous Vietnam campaign and service awards.
Following retirement, Gary continued his dedication to public service. He served as President of the Page County Chamber of Commerce, as a member and secretary of the Page County Planning Commission for three years, and as a member and four-time chairman of the Page County School Board for 14 years.
In addition to public service, Gary was a devoted businessman. He owned and operated several establishments in and around Luray, including the Family Convenience Store in Luray and the Chicken in the Rough restaurant in New Market, as well as various other business ventures with friends in Page County.
He was also an active member of The Military Officers Association, the Grand Masonic Lodge of Virginia, Lafayette Lodge No. 137 in Luray, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 621 in Luray.
Gary is survived by his loving wife, Cheryl Gibbs; two sons, Richard and wife Lisa of Rush City, Minnesota, and Matt and wife Missy of Luray; and three grandsons, Robert, Jaxon and Ryker. He is also survived by his brother, Michael Gibbs of Wisconsin and Florida; and his sister, Susan Ertl of Minnesota.
Visitation will be held at the Bradley Funeral Home in Luray on Friday, September 19, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. Interment with full military honors will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to your local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) chapter in Gary’s honor.
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