Jake Gibbs
JAKE GIBBS: A Life Built On a Firm Foundation(2022)
When a community member passes away, it would seem their impact would exist only in our memory. But recently, an event of great honor happened to solidify that Jake Gibbs’ impact will continue more than just in our memory.
The Jake Gibbs Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Civil Engineering at the University of South Alabama has been created to honor the legacy of longtime Thompson Engineering employee Jake Gibbs, P.E.
South Alabama recently released the following statement concerning the scholarship:
“So many of Jake’s colleagues, clients, and peers have asked what they can do to remember a man they greatly respected. Thompson Engineering thought it fitting to work with his alma mater to create a path for lasting impact through a student scholarship. The Thompson Foundation donated $5,000.00 to kickstart a scholarship fundraisingcampaign with the goal of reaching $10,000.00. Once the $10,000 target is reached, USA’s Mitchell-Moulton Scholarship Initiative will match that amount.
Jakes’ contributions and achievements significantly impacted the civil engineering profession and enhanced the quality of life in our local communities and in other parts of the world. He was an active engineer throughoutthe southeast and in Latin America. He served local municipalities, utility authorities, developers, and military installations, and performed disaster relief and humanitarian aid projects throughout Central and South America as an extension of the U.S. Government and the Army Corps of Engineers.
The things Jake cared about most in this world were his faith, family, and work. He believed this profession made his faith and family stronger and that through his work he made a significant difference in the lives of people around him and the communities he served.”
Jake was an alumnus of Fidelis School and Jay High School, where he played football and baseball and served as president of the Future Farmers of America. He graduated from Jay High School in 1983. After high school, Jake attended Patrick Henry Junior College in Monroeville, Alabama, where he obtained an associate’s degree in applied sciences. He then graduated from the State of Alabama Forestry Academy with honors in 1985. He participated in projects for the State of Alabama Forestry Commission. Following his time with the forestry commission, Jake made the decision to pursue a degree in civil engineering. Jake graduated from the University of South Alabama in 1993. In fact, he was one of four Gibbs who graduated from the USA College of Engineering: Eddie (1986 BSEE), Jake (1993 BSME), John (1994 BSME), and Jeremy (2021 BSME).
Jake remained a loyal alumnus, supporting the school of engineering and the university’s philanthropic goals. He went to work for Baldwin County, Alabama, as an assistant county engineer. For 20 years, Jake worked for Thompson Engineering. At the time of his death, he served as Civil Engineering Manager for the company.
More importantly, than one’s professional work is the personal impact we have on the lives that know and love us. Jake was proud to be a loving husband and father. He was active in his children’s activities, from coaching baseball and softball to attending marching and concert band competition. No matter where his children went, he always gave them the same advice: “Remember who you represent.”
Jake represented our little town, in my opinion, as best anyone could. He was actively involved as a member of Mount Carmel United Methodist Church, where he served as Lay Leader and was on a number of committees. He was an effective witness till his last days with us. The University of South Alabama scholarship will enable others to pursue work that he was devoted to.
The work that impacted his eternity was found in Christ. We can all have similar impacts, for the Bible says, “For in Him we live and move and exist. We are His offspring”(Acts 17:28). Jake was a Christ-follower. And we will see Jake again one day, if we are wise enough to follow the only pathway to heaven.