Gilbert Sullivan

GILBERT “GIB” CLARK SULLIVAN

November 12, 1937 – December 12, 2017

Gilbert Clark Sullivan was born on November 12, 1937 in Ada, Oklahoma. Surrounded by his loving wife and children, Gib peacefully passed away on December 12, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was 80 years old.

Gib is survived by his wife, Bernadine Abrames Sullivan; children, Kelli (Robert) Dotson, Kerri Sullivan, Casey Sullivan, Sean (Bonnie) Sullivan, Erin (Mark) Whitaker, and Tara (Glen) Wagley; 24 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren; brother Tommy (Melody) Sullivan; and sister Linda (Jim) Wilkerson.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Fred Oscar Sullivan and Lois Kathryn Cooper; and by two grandchildren, Scott Michael Costley and Paige Taylor Costley.

Gib grew up in Oklahoma and New Mexico. He attended schools in Lovington and Hobbs, New Mexico and graduated from Hobbs High School in 1956.  Gib received a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering  from New Mexico State University, and a Masters Degree from University of California, Berkeley.  He worked as a Civil Engineer for the United States Government (US Forest Service, Soil Conservation Service, and Bureau of Indian Affairs) for 31 years before retiring in 1994.  He then worked for a number of years doing contract engineering jobs, as well as teaching Math and Statistics classes at the University of Science and Arts in Chickasha, Oklahoma.

Gib and Bernadine were married on October 11, 1958.  During their 59 years of marriage, they had 6 children and lived in 8 states (New Mexico, Texas, Georgia, Oregon, California, Arizona, Utah and Oklahoma).  Gib’s employment gave them opportunities to move their growing family often, but their longest tenures were in Gallup, New Mexico from 1980-1989, and in Anadarko, Oklahoma from 1989-2011.  Gib and Bernadine moved to Bountiful, Utah in 2011 and enjoyed being close to several of their children and grandchildren.

In his final days, Gib could not always remember where he currently lived. But his long-term memory was well intact, and he never forgot his roots -- he declared to the hospital staff: “I’m an Okie from Muskogee!”  He loved Oklahoma and cherished his many life-long friends.

Throughout his life, Gib enjoyed hunting and Mountain Man Rendezvous, where his boisterous, loud personality earned him the nickname “Whisperin’ Gib.”  He was an avid collector of pistols, muzzleloaders and rifles.  Gib loved his many hunting dogs over the years, and spent countless hours chasing his hounds while coon-hunting.  He taught his children how to shoot guns, throw a tomahawk, and start a fire with flint and steel. He loved country and bluegrass music and cold Coca-Colas. Gib enjoyed reading and practically accumulated his own library of books over the years.  If he wasn’t working or hunting, he almost always had a book in his hands.  He liked to multi-task -- he’d read a book while an old Western movie was playing on the TV.  Gib appreciated good food and he could cook up a mean pot of chili! During his years of retirement, Gib took up a new hobby and developed a passion for model airplanes.

Friendly and charismatic, Gib was a friend to all.  He was well-read, engaging, charming and funny. He was a natural storyteller.  Gib could become best friends with someone he had just met, and just might talk your ear off!  Everyone who met Gib, liked Gib.

The first member of his family to attend college, Gib taught the value of education and a love of learning to his children.  He dearly loved his wife and was always so proud of his children and grandchildren.

Gib’s greatest contribution to his family was his decision to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints while he was in college.  He loved his Savior and instilled in his family a love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His legacy is his eternal family.

Services will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary, 727 North 400 East, Bountiful, Utah.  The visitation will be from 12:30 - 1:30 pm, with the Funeral Service at 2:00 pm.  Interment to follow at Bountiful City Cemetery, 2224 South 200 West, Bountiful, Utah.  Condolences may be shared at www.lindquistmortuary.com