Eugene "Gene" Calvin Libbey

Eugene Calvin Libbey (known as "Gene") died on Wednesday, May 13, 2021, at the Summit Healthcare Regional Medical Center in Show Low, Arizona from complications of pneumonia. He was 83 years old. Gene was born on July 15, 1937, in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, California to his parents the late Joseph Calvin and Helyn Marie (Corbiere) Libbey. He had the opportunity to live in several places in both California and Arizona through the years, including: San Bernardino, CA, Riverside, CA, Fresno, CA, Agoura Hills, CA, Thousand Oaks, CA, Mesa, AZ and Show Low, AZ.  Literally, Gene made countless friends wherever he went.  His kindness was a quality that naturally drew others to this gentle man.  

As a child, Gene had the privilege of living with and being reared by his grandparents, Roland Alexander and Lida Ann (Willison) Corbiere.  He developed a deep love and unparalled respect for them and they taught him many of life's skills that would continue to serve Gene throughout his life.  He learned at a very young age what was 'right' and what was 'wrong'.  He did his best to choose the right and when he faltered, he was quick to ask for forgiveness.  He had instilled within him a deep and abiding love for the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.  Daily, he strove to follow His example and express his love to Him by obeying His commandments.  He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a graduated member of San Bernardino High School's Class of 1955 in San Bernarndino, California. Following his graduation, he attended UC Riverside for one year. Gene had many friends at school and he was as honest and loyal a friend could possibly be to absolutely everyone.  His word was his bond. As a young man, he met and married his first wife, Rita Ames. Together they parented 3 children.  When their union ended, their friendship did not and wished each other joy and happiness as they took different paths. Some years later, Gene met and married his "Forever Sweetheart", Llorene "Llore" Willis on November 15, 1989, along with her 2 children in the Los Angeles Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Though a second marriage for both of them, they each welcomed each other's children into their hearts.  Their combined joy simply grew beyond measure with the formation of this great new family.

Gene began working for SavOn Drugs on the "Soap Tables."  He was well-liked at SavOn and loved working there.  He ended staying with SavOn for several decades.  He finally retired as the store manager from SavOn after more than 40 years of faithful service. After retiring to Linden, Arizona (just outside of Show Low in the White Mountains of the state of AZ) he enjoyed a beautiful retirement with Llore. When he had just met Llore, Gene had the privilege to meet her grandparents.  He quasi-joked about knowing that one day, he and Llore would move to Arizona.  Until then, "he hadn't known that Arizona had mountains or trees.  Gene loved to golf at the Temple View Golf Course in the shadows of the Snowflake Temple of the Church.  He loved working by writing business plans and helping others achieve their business goals.  Every morning, he looked to complete his daily crossword puzzle. He was faithful with his church responsibilities and callings.  He was a faithful High Priest Group Leader who truly loved the members of his quorum over whom he had stewardship.  He loved to do his Home Teaching every month and looked forward to reminding others of how important they were in Heavenly Father's Great Plan of Happiness.  His sincere and genuine kindness will be missed by his ward family and by his host of friends.  His family rejoices in remembering that, "Families Are Forever."   

He is survived by his wife, Llorene "Llore" Libbey, of Linden, Arizona and their children: Cris Libbey of Queen Creek, Arizona, Mike Libbey of Dubuque, Iowa, Cyndi Eagar of Murrieta, California, Brian (Barb) Andrews of Roswell, New Mexico, Kerri (Kirk) Fornataro of Tacoma, Washington; 6 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.    

The public visitation will be from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., on Friday, June 4, 2021, at Owens Livingston Mortuary - White Mountain Chapel, 320 N. 9th Street in Show Low, Arizona.  The funeral service will promptly begin 10:00 A.M., Saturday, June 5, 2021, at the Linden Valley Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Linden, Arizona where additional visitation will begin one hour prior.  The concluding service and interment will immediately follow at the Pinedale Cemetery in Pinedale, Arizona. For those who aren't able to attend the funeral service in person, please join the Zoom link to watch the proceedings by clicking the following link: https://zoom.us/j/96423054168