Richard Gibbs

Dr. Richard Morris Gibbs was born in February of 1942, to Tera Lillace Towns Gibbs and Gordon Morris Gibbs in Tarrant, Alabama. He passed away peacefully at home in February of 2026, in Rockport, Texas, just two weeks shy of his 84th birthday.

Richard, known as “Morris” until college, graduated from Tarrant High School in 1960. During his high school years, he was recognized not only for his athletic talent, particularly in basketball, but also for his academic excellence. A standout mathematics student, he was a member of the Tarrant National Honor Society and was selected to speak on Scholarship for the organization.

On the basketball court, wearing number 20, he was a talented shooting guard for the Tarrant Wildcats. In February 1960, The Birmingham Post-Herald wrote: “Morris Gibbs, the nonchalant Tarrant point-maker, is stepping into fast basketball company. He’ll play his college ball at Western Kentucky under Ed Diddle. During the District 5-AA basketball tournament, when asked about the intensity of the game, Gibbs wryly remarked, “Oh, well… that’s basketball.” Richard attended Western Kentucky University, where he played one season of college basketball, before transferring to the University of Alabama. There, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in 1963, his Master of Arts in 1964, and completed his PhD in Mathematics in September 1970. His dissertation was titled Generalized Dirichlet Series. After he completed his studies, Richard was a professor of Mathematics at what is now Georgia Southern University in Savannah, Georgia, where he inspired his students with his passion for teaching and research.

Richard had a deep love of travel and adventure. He taught himself to speak German and traveled around the world twice during the 1970s. He eventually settled in Houston, Texas, where he worked as a mathematician for NASA. After contributing to a lunar landing, he famously received a piece of moon rock in recognition of his work. He later became a pioneer in the early software industry, working successfully in the field for many years.

In the late 1980s, Richard fulfilled a lifelong dream by purchasing land west of Houston in Brookshire, Texas, where he built a barn, fenced the property himself with the help of friends, and raised forty head of Beefmaster cattle along with two horses. He was, proudly, a Texas cattle rancher. After eventually selling the ranch, he took on his “retirement job” as a professor of Mathematics at the University of St. Thomas in Houston.

Richard spent his life surrounded by intelligent and remarkable women. He was the proud father of three daughters: Susan Elizabeth Price (born May 1966; died 1995), Shannon Ann Gibbs Houlihan (born January 1978), and Dr. Ashley Dianne Gibbs (born September 1982). He often referred to his daughters as his “pride” (Ashley), “love” (Susan), and “joy” (Shannon).

Richard shared 26 years of marriage with Ann Elliott Gibbs, who was a Systems Engineer for IBM. Together they raised their daughters in Houston and built a life filled with love, laughter, travel and memories that will be treasured always.

Thereafter, for more than 25 years, Richard shared his life with his beloved partner, Anne Talty Mourtaja. Together they retired to Rockport, Texas, where they eventually rebuilt Anne’s home after it was devastated by Hurricane Harvey. They spent many happy years there and traveled the world together in retirement. Anne was Richard’s constant companion and a perfect match for his cantankerous, spirited restlessness, balancing him with her patience and kindness.

Richard was fiercely protective of his daughters and deeply loved by them all. He was always “Dada” to them and was happiest in his later years sitting at his desk trading stock on his computer while Anne, Shannon, and Ashley gathered nearby, chatting and laughing. He was adored by his grandchildren, who affectionately called him “Gegah”, a fitting name for the physical and intellectual giant he was. Tall, dark, and handsome, Richard was known for his razor-sharp, bone-dry wit, impish humor, and endless charm. He truly enjoyed playing Texas Hold ’Em and made it a point to always be the House.

Richard was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Susan, his brother Marion Douglas “Max” Gibbs, and his parents, Tera and Gordon Gibbs. He is survived by his partner, Anne Talty Mourtaja; his daughter Shannon Houlihan and her husband Andrew Houlihan, and their children Hayden Jackson Houlihan (19) and Hadley Ann Houlihan (17); his daughter Ashley Gibbs and her husband Jack McKee, and their son Shannon Gibbs McKee (2); and Susan’s son, his grandson, Mitchell Jerman. He is also survived by Anne’s daughters, Natalia Coan and her husband Scott Coan and their son Connor; and Nicole Leder and her husband Danny Leder and their children Ben, Sadie, and Sophie. Richard is also survived by Ann Elliott Gibbs, his former wife.