Gordon Gibbs

Gordon Ernest Gibbs, 56, of Lexington, passed away Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House in Salisbury after a courageous battle with cancer.

Gordon was born August 30, 1958 to the late Ernest and Mary Katherine Gibbs. In addition to his parents he is also preceded in death by a brother, Richard Gibbs.

Gordon spent his entire career in NASCAR sharing his love of stock car racing with many. He was well known for his passion, his drive and dedication to racing. Gordon started his career on the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit as a mechanic and tire changer for Hendrick Motorsports and driver Geoff Bodine when the team won the 1986 Daytona 500.

He was a crewman for drivers Lake Speed, Sterling Marlin, Brett Bodine, and Ricky Rudd. He was named crew chief for driver Steve Grissom for the Diamond Ridge Motorsports team in 1994. Gordon then worked for Joe Gibbs Racing with JD Gibbs and Coy Gibbs in a late model car.

In 1999 Gordon returned to Hendrick Motorsports and was the car chief for drivers Joe Nemechek, Wally Dallenbach and Jerry Nadeau. In 2003, he was the car chief for the Hendrick Motorsports Research and Development Team with Kyle Busch and David Green in ARCA. In 2004, Gordon worked with Kyle Busch in the Sprint Cup series. From 2005 to 2007, Gordon worked for the Hendrick Motorsports Busch Team and worked with multiple drivers.

In 2008, he then went to work for JR Motorsports as the shop foreman. He was loved and respected by many in the racing community.

The family will receive friends at Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord on Monday, September 29, 2014 from 5:00pm until 7:00pm. A memorial service will follow in the Chapel of Hartsell Funeral Home at 7:00 pm.

He is survived by his wife, Kristin Coble Gibbs of Lexington; daughter, Kimberlee Gibbs of Mt Holly; son, Ryan Gibbs and wife, Allison, and granddaughter, Sophia Nicole, of Charlotte; brother, Tom Gibbs; sister, Kathy Stimson; step-son, Shane Young of Lexington and step-daughter, Shelly Young of Lexington.

Memorials may be made to Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House, 1229 Statesville Blvd, Salisbury, NC 28144 or Relay for Life, 1901 Brunswick Ave, Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28027.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord is serving the Gibbs family.

Online condolences and online webcast available at www.hartsellfh.com