Gilbert “Gibby” Morales
Passed: February 27, 2017
- Share:
Gilbert “Gibby” Morales
Passed: February 27, 2017
Obituary
Gilbert “Gibby” Morales of Goodyear, AZ died February 27, 2017 at the age of 82. He was born July 10, 1934 to Mike G. Morales and Martha Contreras Morales in Jerome, AZ. He graduated from Mingus High School, served in the US Army for 2 years, and was honorably discharged in 1957. Upon his return he married Eleanor Rodriguez. Gilbert earned a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State College in Flagstaff, a master’s degree from NAU, and an Administrative Certification from University of Arizona. After Eleanor’s passing he married Belia Sanchez Lucero in 1970 and together they raised their seven children.
Gilbert began a 35 year career in Seligman, AZ as teacher, coach, principal and superintendent. The last years of his career were spent in the administration in Avondale and Laveen Elementary School districts.
Gilbert is survived by his spouse, Belia S. Morales; daughters, Elizabeth Robles, Kathleen Morales, Noreen M. Diaz, Jordan Morales; sons, John Lucero, Daniel, Thomas, and David Morales; sister, Rosemary Hirales (Edmund); brothers, David Morales (Barbara), Bill Morales (Veronica); seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held at 9:30 am with a rosary at 10:30 am and mass at 11:00 am, Friday, March 10, 2017 at St John Vianney Catholic Church, 539 E La Pasada Blvd, Goodyear, AZ 85338. Interment will be at 11:00 am, Friday, March 17, 2017 at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024.
9 responses to Gilbert “Gibby” Morales
Monica Sandoval says:
March 2, 2017
I was so saddened to hear of “Mr. Morales” passing. An icon has left us!
He was such an inspiration to me as an educator and a person. He ALWAYS was professional and I looked up to him in high school. I wanted to emulate his professionism with all of my Speech students and make them feel as important as he made me feel.
As an adult, I couldn’t even call him by his first name~although he told me to because he said, “We aren’t in school anymore”. But I had
too much respect to even use his first name whenever I had conversations with him.
God Bless You, Mr. Morales~ may the perpetual light shine upon you and rest in peace. I’ll miss you as I’m sure everyone who ever met you will miss you too.
Buel and Nancy Bowlan says:
March 4, 2017
Gibby was a great friend and professional colleague May he Rest In Peace.
Carolina Cortez says:
March 7, 2017
My heart is broken with the passing of my Niño. He was such a caring and loving man who made sure we were comforted with some funny stories of my father and his childhood mischiefs after my father passed away in 1994. We cried and we laughed as we listened to him tell us stories of our dad being spoiled and how sneaky he was when it came to chores, nights out with the boys, dates and dances. What a blessing to have all of those stories shared with us by my dads best friend.
He was a great compadre to my mom as well, a few years after our dads passing he wrote a letter to my mom telling her how much he missed my dad and that their friendship was the best he’d ever had. He reached out to my mom and told her if she ever needed anything not to hesitate to call on him or Belia.
When they’d come to California he always made sure they’d stop in and spend a few hours with us. There were a few times we’d make it to lunch and it meant so much to me that my Niño was still here for us.
I’ll miss very much and I can honestly say that I was so fortunate to have had in my life as my godfather because he was my dads best friend. A true sweetheart with a heart of gold !
My utmost sincere condolences, may the memories of my Niño keep your hearts full of love and comfort.
Pete R Cortez says:
March 7, 2017
So saddened to hear about Gibby’s passing. He was my fathers best friend during their years growing up in Jerome, a friendship that lasted even when my father moved to Los Angeles as they became compadres with Gibby baptizing my younger sister.
We would always look forward to his visits when we would all sit around and listen to him sort out the stories from the facts our father had told us about growing up in Jerome, going to dances in Prescott and swimming in the Verde Valley swimming hole. My parents would always light up during his visits and even after my father passed, he and Belia would keep in touch with my mother which I truly appreciated.
The world was a better place with him in it. and I can almost hear the laughter coming down from heaven now as he and my dad reminisce childhood memories. God Bless you Gibby, and thanks for being such a family friend.
Lisa De Los Santos Inge says:
March 8, 2017
I am sorry for you lost. My Nino was a good man I love you guys and wish I was home. Nina Bela i miss you. Lots of love and prayers love Lisa