John Wesley Gibbs and Doris Elaine Bennet met on Howdy Day at East High School in Denver, Colorado…Grandma says he was attracted to her nice legs, and I’m sure she was charmed by his quick wit, good looks and gentle spirit. They were married for 63 years in 2009, when my Grandma passed away. Their engagement photo below is one of my favorites. My Grandpa was reunited in heaven with the his lovely bride on October 27, 2011.
The legacy they left is not tangible but one of immense blessing! I just spent a week with my family, the four siblings, their spouses, my 18 cousins and 9 great-grandchildren in Denver to celebrate their lives. We came from Alaska, New York, Washington and Idaho to gather at the family home, built in 1917 by my great-grandpa. It was one of the best weeks I’ve had in years! The legacy they left is one of strong family bonds, a love of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, a passion for mountain tops, ski slopes wind in the pines, the sound of waterfalls, creativity, ingenuity and lots of laughter.
My grandpa was a highway engineer, who had a mind that could fix any conundrum. He was quiet and patient, teaching most of the extended family to ski, including myself at age three. An avid mountain climber, he ascended 34 of the 52 14,000+ peaks in Colorado and many others with his family. One recent story we found out about, was during college in the 1930′s he built a small 9′ X 12′ cabin in a mountain saddle with some buddies. They dubbed it the Quintet Chalet and used it as a hostel of sorts so they could make the most out of Colorado’s dry mountain powder all winter long. Buried by snow, they dove down to the entrance next to the stove-pipe that stuck out of the snow like a snorkel.
My grandma was not an outdoorsy gal when they met. Yet she accompanied him on many adventures and this wasn’t just day hikes, but full mountain treks many times with the fully family in tote. I love this picture of them and their frame packs, headed out into the wilderness. My grandpa looking dapper as ever…in nice slacks and a dress shirt! Wearing his classic trademark hat. My grandpa and grandma passed along the love for the mountains their legacy has taken many family members on mountain treks around the world.
Skiing in the Swiss Alps in their 60′s was a lifelong dream. They skied free as part of the Colorado Mountain Ski Rescue team and relished the fact that they could once again ski free with their senior discount…and did so often!
But the biggest legacy they have left is their enduring love for the Lord, and trusting him for fulfillment in life. I have one of the most incredible families and am so blessed to be so deeply loved by so many. To be persistent, patient, generous, creative and full of grace. Thank you grandma and grandpa for your legacy and may my life uphold it and carry it on to a future family.






















































