More detail on this person: Captain Kenneth (Ken) A. Gibbins, Jr., 79, passed away peacefully on April 16, 2024, at his home in Weatherford, Texas, after a hard-fought battle with leukemia. Ken was born in Noumea, New Caledonia on June 25, 1944. He married Melinda Ames in January 1982. Ken grew up in Mineral Wells and graduated from Mineral Wells High School. He was a member of the Weatherford National Guard's boxing team and competed in Golden Gloves competitions. Ken was a war hero and served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1970. He earned his rank of captain by graduating from Officer Candidate School (OCS) in 1966 and then went on to become an Army Ranger. As a Captain, Armor Branch Aviator, Ken served two tours in Vietnam with the B Troop, 7/17th Air Cavalry Squadron (1967-68) and B Company, 101st Aviation Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (1969-70). He was awarded the Silver Star and the Air Medal for combat actions in 1968. Following the Vietnam War, Ken returned to the US and worked in the automotive business until he was able to get into commercial aviation. As a commercial aviator, he flew airplanes and helicopters for oil companies and the government in Alaska, South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia until 1980, at which time he had to give up flying due to medical complications. He then went on to work in the truck transportation field and later began providing support for veterans in need. Ken enjoyed bowling, golfing, having lunch with his friends, telling stories from his travels overseas, and flying helicopters. Ken was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth A. Gibbins Sr.; mother, Irene Duncan; stepfather, Walter Duncan; brother, Richard L. Gibbins, whom Ken took care of for many years; former wife, Patricia Kennedy; father-in-law, Wilson Ames; and nephews, Timothy Honsinger and Brando024041620254n Ames. A visitation for family and friends will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel in Weatherford, Texas. Services and burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, at a future date.
Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery
This information was last updated 12/03/2025
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Date posted on this site: 02/07/2026
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