Our kind, gentle, loving father, grandfather, brother and friend returned home to his heavenly parents on July 7, 2017. Jim was born in Magrath, Alberta, Canada to James Lye and Arla Woolley Gibb. He was the oldest child of four brothers and one sister. Jim worked on the family farm and graduated from high school in 1951. He served a Mormon mission to Finland (1952-55). After his mission he married LaVon Robinson on September 14, 1956 in the LDS Cardston Alberta Temple. His relationship with LaVon, his sweetheart of 58 years at her death, was preeminent in his life, and he loved their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They moved to Edmonton where LaVon supported Jim while he received his bachelor's and master's degrees in Pharmacy from the University of Alberta. Jim and LaVon moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan where Jim received his doctorate in Pharmacology. They moved to Rockville, Maryland where Jim completed post-doctoral work at the National Institutes of Health. In 1968, Jim joined the faculty at the University of Utah, with a joint appointment in the College of Pharmacy and the School of Medicine and later was chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Jim loved learning and experiencing new knowledge in all fields, with a particular interest in brain and neurotransmitter research. Jim and LaVon\s primary residence was in Salt Lake City for the last 50 years with sabbatical leaves to Innsbruck, Austria and Princeton, New Jersey.
Jim lived a balanced life between devotion to family, God and church and his profession.Jim has a firm faith in Jesus Christ and he lived life loving, nurturing and serving those around him. He taught through his humility and deeds. He served in many church positions over the years and loved working and serving others of all backgrounds. Jim was a gifted listener and, when asked, gave sage advice that was valued by children, grandchildren, students, colleagues and friends. Because of his love for people, he had an immense ability to engage others with love and compassion. He never judged, and only wanted the best for everyone he knew. Jim was an excellent storyteller, speaking often of positive, fun travel and life experiences in his life. We will dearly miss his twinkling eye and smile while telling his most recent fun story. Jim's hard work and professional accomplishments are extraordinary, he served on national and international associations and was frequently honored for his accomplishments as a scientist and for service to a variety of scientific and professional associations. He will be remembered most for supporting many people throughout his life with love, compassion and a listening ear when they needed it most. His charity never failed.
Jim is survived by his children Kathryn Kuttler (Kraig), Mark Gibb (Sheri); grandchildren Dyson Ellis (Rosa), Jonathan Ellis (Jaimee), Amber Kuttler Walker (Jacob), Stephen Ellis, Spencer Kuttler, Rebecca Ellis, Aaron Kuttler, Audrey Gibb Morrison (Jacob), Loren Kuttler, James Robinson Gibb, and John Walker Gibb; great-grandchildren Brody Walker, Patrick Ellis, Grace Ellis and Oliver Ellis; sister Edith Scown (Paul); brothers Guy Gibb (Sheila) and Richard Gibb (Sharon) and sisters-in-law Sharon and Deb Gibb. He is predeceased by his wife LaVon Robinson Gibb; parents James Lye and Arla Woolley Gibb; siblings Kenneth and Gilbert Gibb.
Funeral services will be held onSaturday, July 22, 2017 at 11:00 am, at the Yalecrest Chapel, located at 1035 South 1800 East, Salt Lake City. A viewing will be held Friday, July 21,6-8 pmat Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 E. 1300 S., andSaturdayat9:30-10:30 amat the Yalecrest Ward. Interment will be at Larkin Sunset Lawn Cemetery. Online condolences and memories are encouraged and may be submitted atwww.larkinmortuary.com.
