Glendale, AZ-Robert George Gribble, 88, passed through the veil peacefully, April 27, 2019, surrounded by family, and we believe, crossing paths with his newest great-grandson, Leandro Robert Morales who arrived days before-first and last breaths honoring the lifecycle with tears both of joy and loss for those of us on this plane.

Bob was born in Hollywood, CA, September 29, 1930, ironic because there has never been a more un-worldly being. He was like Nathanael in the New Testament, a man without guile and so could not see guile in others.

He served honorably in the United States Army from 1952-1954.  He had both a degree in Accounting and a Juris Doctor.  Bob started his career with Peat Marwick Mitchell and retired from Xerox Corporation as International Tax Manager.

Bob lived the doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving a Senior Mission with his wife Cleo in Puebla, Mexico.  Along with many other church callings, he was best known for his service as a mentor and translator for the Spanish branch while serving as Branch President in Trumbull, CT.  The law degree that he received yet never converted to a career was utilized to help with immigration, divorce, foreclosure and whatever else came up where he could lend his expertise.

After moving from Connecticut to North Carolina, he enjoyed participating in the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Reader’s Theatre, Wilmington Carolers, Sneads Ferry Actor’s Group, and performed one of the lead roles in Follow Your Dreams that debuted in Wilmington, NC.  All this kept Bob busy after retirement once he opted to let go of bowling. 

Music was important whether he was playing, singing or listening. He played the piano, guitar, ukulele and even started taking violin lessons later in life to round out his instrumental talents.  His personalized poetry written to family members throughout his life will always be treasured.

His energy was constant and consistent.  He was the proverbial turtle in any endeavor, stuck on slow.  Slow. Steady. Measured.  Balanced. Gentle. Calm. Soft Spoken.  He was a principled man with a strong testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, yet there was not a judgmental bone in his body. He was informed, keeping up on news, movies and sports.  He could carry on a conversation about most of those topics even though he would never actually watch anything above a PG rating or sit through an entire game.

His unique sense of humor got us through to the end.  When his mind began to slip and then give way completely, his moments of lucidity were always tinged with humor.  One morning he stated "I've gone around the bend, does anyone want to join me?"  

Robert is predeceased by his sister Barbara Jean Gribble, his parents John Beverley and Ruth Resler Gribble, and his first wife Barbara Allen Gribble.

Bob will be forever remembered by his wife of almost 20 years, Cleo Chapman Gribble and his children Richard (Tamara) Gribble, Luone Gribble Ingram and Roderick Terry Gribble Allen.   He will also be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren Michael Gribble, Christopher Gribble, Rebecca (Chris) Morales, Diana Ingram, Will (Samantha) Ingram, James T. (Rachel) Allen II, Bianca and Michael Allen, and great-grandchildren Oliver and Leandro Robert Morales.

He will also be remembered by those added upon his marriage to Cleo is 1999: children; Eva (Lonnie) Graves, Kimberlee Carter (Lee Roseburgh), Earl Carter Jr., and Michael Carter;   grandchildren; Aimee Zeitz (Justin Gruber), Elizabeth Hanan (Jon Richardson), Joanna Billings, Molly Carter, Nick Rodgers, Trinity Carter, Angel (Lonnie) Zuniga, Lonnie (Celesta) Graves and   great- grandchildren; John, Blake, Austin, Isaiah and Eli Zuniga,  Merrick and Silas Graves, Alexis and Jackson Gruber, Hannah and Connor Billings, Kinzleigh Hawthorne. 

Special thanks are offered to Living Waters Care Home in Glendale, AZ.  No formal services will be held.  I lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Lewy Body Dementia research, or the General Missionary Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.