James Lee Gibbs

James Lee Gibbs of Hot Springs, a Stuttgart native and businessman, passed away Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Gibbs, 82, was born May 19, 1941, in Stuttgart to T.O. and Melba Burnett Gibbs. He attended Arkansas Tech University at Russellville and was a graduate of General Motors College of Dealership Management.

At the age of 10, he began working part time for his uncle Pete Burnett at his car dealership. At age 19, he became service manager and at age 32 he became a partner in the dealership Burnett Gibbs Motors, Inc. In 1990 after the death of his uncle, he became the sole proprietor and in 2007, at 56 years in the industry, he retired in Hot Springs, Ark.

He was a member of the Arkansas Automobile Dealers Association, National Automobile Dealers Association, Arkansas Wildlife Federation and McCollum Hunting Club.

Gibbs had been a private duck guide for 30 years. He was a sponsor member and a patron donor of the Grand Prairie Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. He was past president of Stuttgart Country Club. He also assisted the Wings Over the Prairie Festival in many capacities in the past. He most loved hunting and fishing with his nephew and great nephews and good friend Van Baker.

He is survived by his wife of 61-plus years, Agnes Krisell Gibbs; nephews and nieces, Brian (Amber) Gibbs, Elizabeth (Stephen) Tharp, Valerie (Cody) Bivens, Will (Mandy) Gibbs. Aimee (Phillip) Battles and Christa Gibbs; and many great nieces and great nephews.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Tommy Lou Barnard and her family and brothers Charlie and Bill Gibbs.

James and Agnes are members of Hot Springs Baptist Church.

Visitation is 1-2:30 p.m. Thursday at Turpin Funeral Home with funeral services, officiated by Bro. Mike Smith, following at 2:30 p.m. with private family burial.

His family requests memorials be made to Easter Seals GPCDD, 1801 N. Buerkle, Stuttgart, AR 72160; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1905; or Hot Springs Baptist Church, 144 Weston Rd., Hot Springs, AR 71913.