December 5, 1947 – April 27, 2025
Clifford “Cliff” Walker Gibbs, 77, of Independence Township, NJ, went home to be with the Lord on April 27, 2025. Born in Morristown, New Jersey, Cliff grew up on the family farm in Allamuchy, NJ, with his parents (James and Marion) and three brothers, Jim, Bob, and Frank.
A graduate of Hackettstown High School, Cliff met the love of his life, Ruth (Finkle) Gibbs, during his school years. They married in 1968, beginning their lifelong journey together.
Cliff served his country with distinction as a “Green Beret” with the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) during the Vietnam War. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC, and deployed to Tra Bong, Vietnam.
While Cliff was at Fort Bragg, he and Ruth welcomed their first daughter, Kellie (Pennington), who was born in 1969, shortly before his deployment to Vietnam.
Upon returning home, Cliff’s commitment to service continued in his community. He helped establish the Allamuchy/Green Rescue Squad, served as a member of the Independence Township Volunteer Fire Department for 49 years (five of them as chief), and worked as a dispatcher for the Morris County Sheriff’s Department.
Cliff and Ruth’s family expanded with three more daughters: Heather (Parker), Sarah (Bears-Hubert), and Jolene (Dempski); ten grandchildren: Brooke, Jeffrey, and Olivia Pennington; Amelia, Cedric, Millie, Keira, and Linnea Parker; and Phoebe and Theo Dempski; along with one great-grandchild, Jane Park. To his grandchildren, he was affectionately known as “Pop-Pop.”
Cliff was a member of the Hackettstown American Legion and VFW. He enjoyed rooting for the New York Giants, researching American History, and listening to Jimmy Buffett’s music.
A viewing will be held Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Cochran Funeral Home in Hackettstown, NJ. Funeral services will follow on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 10:00 AM at the same location, with burial at Tranquility Cemetery.
Following the burial, family and friends are invited to a luncheon at the Independence Township Firehouse in Great Meadows.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Independence Township Volunteer Fire Department, 24 Cemetery Road, Great Meadows, NJ 07838, www.73fire.org in Cliff’s memory.
For those wishing to leave online condolences for the family, please visit, www.cochranfuneral.com.
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Joanne Dunn says
April 29, 2025 at 5:18 pmTo all the Gibbs family,
Praying for peace in your hearts.
Cliff will be missed, we Dunn’s have many memories shared with him and Ruth !
I am honored to have known Cliff ! A man with a golden heart for life and all people indeed !
Laurie Durham says
April 29, 2025 at 6:34 pmAunt Ruth,
Jimmy called to tell me Uncle Cliff has passed away. We are so sorry to hear. I always enjoyed seeing him when we came to NJ for visits. Our heart is broken for you and the girls and the family. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Love Laurie, Danny and Rachel
Jessica says
April 30, 2025 at 12:59 amAunt Ruth & Girls,
The Sumter Gibbs send our love and prayers up your way. We all cherish our individual memories and stories with Uncle Cliff. I remember fondly our visits and time shared together. I know he will be missed by many, but I have to pray that he was welcomed with big smiles and hugs by his brothers and parents.
Matthew 5:4 – Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
With love,
Jess, Mac and Maddy
Keith Lefferts says
May 2, 2025 at 6:21 pmDear, Gibbs Family,
I worked with Cliff at the Morris County Communications Center. This is sad news, and I want to offer my condolences to Cliff’s family, friends, and firehouse. I remember his deep raspy voice and his witty responses. I would say, “Hey Cliff, it’s snowing and it’s really coming down.” Cliff would reply, “Well, did you ever see it go up?”
I’ll always have a smile thinking of him.
With sympathy, Keith
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