Roll Call Tribute

James Michael "Mike" Gibbens 

January 2, 1950 - January 14, 2025 

James Michael “Mike” Gibbens, of Bryan, Texas, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2025. Mike was born on January 2, 1950, to Ivy John Gibbens and Aurora Kathleen Robertson Gibbens in Uvalde, Texas. Mike grew up in West Texas and graduated from Van Horn High School in 1968. He went on to study at Texas A&M University and was a proud member of the Corps of Cadets and the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band. He played the trombone in the Aggie Band from 1968 to 1972 and was a member of the Class of ‘72. While in school, he met his sweetheart, Carolyn Eimann Gibbens (Class of ’71) of College Station, Texas. They married on September 7, 1974, and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past year. They married and raised their family in Bryan, TX. Mike and Carolyn went on to have three children: Cathy Lee (Gibbens) Rice, John David Gibbens, and Kevin Michael Gibbens. Mike worked for Alenco Doors and Windows for over 30 years and was an usher for Texas A&M football games for over 35 years. He bled maroon and loved going to every Aggie game when he could. He was an avid car guy and loved working on cars.

Mike loved fishing and spending time with his family. He had a kind, gentle spirit and loved the Lord with all his heart, soul, and mind. He embodied John 15:13, “ Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends,” and Matthew 22:37-39, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Mike loved God with all his heart; his legacy will live on because his love was great.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents, his son John David Gibbens, aunts, uncles, and other family members.

He is survived by his wife Carolyn, his daughter Cathy and husband Nathan Rice, and his son Kevin; grandchildren, Zaine Rice, Isabelle Rice, Alexis Rice, Gabby Gibbens, and Brazos Rice.

Funeral services are being held on January 20, 2025, at 2 pm at Hillier Funeral Home in Bryan, TX.