Stanley Garth Gibb

Stanley Garth Gibb, age 84, passed away on July 6, 2024, surrounded by loved ones at the Yavapai Regional Medical Center, in Prescott, Arizona. Stan was born June 22, 1940, in Chicago, Illinois to Stanley and LaVeda Gibb. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Betty Jeane Holland. Stan married his beloved wife, Andrea McFarland, on June 27, 1964 in San Mateo, California. Together they raised a beautiful family in Upland, California, surrounded by music and laughter, and enjoyed 60 years of marriage. Stan is survived by his wife Andrea, and their four children: David (Roberta), Barton (Marie), Cassandra (Tim) Van Buskirk, and Maren (Andrew) Bosley, as well as by 23 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He is additionally survived by his sister-in-law, Melinda (Randy) Schamel. Stan earned a Bachelor’s in Music and a Master of Arts from San Francisco State College, and later, a Doctor of Musical Arts from North Texas State University. From 1974-2006 he taught music theory, composition, technology, business, and percussion performance at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, where he also built their music technology lab. He was a master vibraphonist and as such, performed with numerous jazz ensembles throughout his life. As a percussionist he performed with various orchestras, and was a keyboardist and founding member of the casual band, Autumn. In addition to musical performance, he was a prolific composer and arranger, working across a plethora of genres including avant-garde, jazz, choral, and musique concrète. His musical works were a source of expression for both his clever sense of humor and his deeply held religious beliefs. Most recently Stan performed with the Prescott Pops Symphony, as well as the Central Arizona Concert band and the Yavapai College Jazz Band, for which he also wrote and arranged. His musical legacy continues to influence his descendants. Stan was an avid reader and student, constantly in pursuit of additional knowledge surrounding not only music, but history and politics. He enjoyed baseball, as well as working on handyman projects of all types and sizes—from stained glass, to car repairs, and anything in between. His belief that, with enough effort, no skill was beyond his ability, has been passed on to his children and grandchildren alike. He was known for being humble and frugal—he never met a dollar that he couldn’t save. Stan lived a life dedicated to the principals of integrity, hard work, service, and faith. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and faithfully served the church in numerous responsibilities, including Bishop and Service Missionary. He believed deeply in loving God as well as his fellow-man, and lived his life accordingly—always willing to serve someone in need. Stan will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Services for Stan will be held Saturday, July 20, 2024, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1101 Sandretto Drive, Prescott, AZ. Viewing at 9:00 AM, and funeral service at 10:00 AM. He will be interred at the Mountain View Cemetery in Prescott, Arizona.