Linley H. Gibbs Jr. died on Friday, April 28, 2017 at age 85 — having lived life to its fullest. He was born on September 1, 1931 in Burlington, North Carolina.

He graduated from Walter Williams High School in Burlington, and attended Mars Hill College before joining the Navy in 1951 during the Korean War.

He married Mary Dixon Campbell, also from Burlington, on August 26, 1956, and they were married 48 years until her death in 2004.

He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.S. in Business Administration in 1957. Linley was always quick to remind us of UNC’s National Basketball Championship that year, and was a lifelong and enthusiastic fan. Upon graduation, he went to work for General Electric Company in Asheboro, North Carolina. The family moved to Washington, North Carolina in 1969 when Linley went to work for Hamilton Beach until his retirement in 1992. He loved Washington, where he found wonderful neighbors, friends and business associates. He served on the Board of Directors of First South Bank for 31 years until 2016, including being Vice Chairman and Chairman. He was passionate about his community and served as a board member of several non-profit organizations, including the Optimist Club, where a scholarship is given annually in his name honoring his work and contributions; Beaufort County Crime Stoppers where he loved driving the drink cart at their golf tournament; and the Washington Chamber of Commerce, where he also served as Chairman.

He is survived by his son Jimi; daughter Ginny; grandchildren Ryan (Jaimee), Maggie and Sarah Taylor; and great-grandchildren Liam and Henna. His wife “Dickie” and sister, Betty Jane Zammit, preceded him in death in 2004.

A celebration of his life will be held in Washington this summer with details announced at a later time.

Memorials may be made to the Optimist Club of Washington, P.O. Box 1174, Washington, NC 27889 or Beaufort County Crime Stoppers, P.O. Box 1543, Washington, NC 27889.

“Success is when others look back on your life and the memories make them smile.” Many of us are smiling as we remember Linley’s sparkling blue eyes, the grin below his ever-present Greek fisherman’s cap, and the man who always gave us everything he had.

Condolences may be offered at www.richandthompson.com.