by John Boch
America has lost a patriot and a great American.
Chris “The Guy” Gibb lost his fight with long-time illness and passed away this past weekend, far too soon at just two days shy of his 42nd birthday.
The Guy became in involved in Guns Save Life in about 2004 as his thirst grew for promoting gun rights and shooting with the public. He served for a two-year term as a director of Guns Save Life.
Sadly for us, a new program caught his eye in 2006. He jumped in with both feet, traveling to Ramseur, North Carolina to learn more. He then brought his newfound skills and knowledge back to Illinois to share with us over a couple of meetings. 
We at Guns Save Life were sorry to see Guy leave our board and stop coming to meetings regularly, but we knew he was doing great things for this new program called Project Appleseed.
The brainchild of Jack Dailey – “Fred” of Fred’s M14 Stocks – Project Appleseed blends rifle marksmanship, gun safety, and American Revolutionary War history into an enjoyable, entertaining weekend suitable for the entire family.
Over the next five years or so, Gibb rose to become the number two man at Appleseed. He traveled the nation bringing Appleseed to many, if not most of the states in the continental US. He made friends easily and created a following of friends and admirers where ever he went.
He admitted spending every weekend away from his family came with a price, but he felt this higher calling to promote freedom and liberty with freedom-loving Americans demanded it. In a time when lots of people talked about gun rights, oftentimes from behind a keyboard, Guy Gibb had his boots on the ground influencing dozens of people each and every weekend, in person.
He taught them history. He taught them safety. He taught them how to shoot better.
He did this laying in standing water during a rainstorm, and when snowflakes gently fell from the sky. He got muddy right there next to his students, helping them achieve that breakthrough moment that would allow them to put it all together and shoot to the rifleman’s standard. He ran more than a few Appleseed events as the only instructor present. And he did it all for love of country and his mission to get people involved and off the couch.
Those weekends will stay with those people for the rest of their lives. In many cases, those people felt inspired enough to become more involved in the Appleseed program. Guy Gibb inspired literally hundreds of people to become instructors and to give of their time and effort to what they saw as a worthwhile endeavor.
We ourselves were moved to bring Project Appleseed to Illinois, sponsoring the first Illinois shoot in 2007. At the time it was held, just over a year since Appleseed started, it netted nearly sixty shooters and was the second-largest Appleseed shoot ever held at the time. Guy Gibb was there, of course, inspiring people (including myself and many of my friends) to become instructors with the program.
After that first shoot, Illinois’ Appleseed instructor cadre grew to become one of the largest and most active Appleseed states in the nation, thanks to a lot of great people – and a little enthusiastic promotion from Guns Save Life.
Those people Guy Gibb inspired to become active and involved today are carrying on Guy’s vision and mission. They are teaching new people the safe and effective use of not only rifles, but handguns as well. They are working hard advancing gun rights in states across America. They are engaged and influencing public policy in a very positive way, all thanks to Guy Gibb’s spark that lit a flame within them.
America owes Guy Gibb and his family and kids a debt of gratitude for his work. Freedom rings a little louder, and burns a lot brighter within many of us thanks to the him. America’s Founding Fathers surely looked favorably upon The Guy and his work, and he no doubt now breaks bread with them at their table in Heaven.
George Patton’s advice still holds true today: It is foolish and wrong to mourn that Guy Gibb has died. Instead, we should thank God that men like him lived.
There will be a Memorial Service Saturday, April 23rd.
First Presbyterian Church
222 Margaret street
Piper City, Illinois 60959
1-3 pm
Service starts at 3.
Very nice article. A true patriot. He will be missed, but his legacy lives on.
RIP Stand down brother, we’ll take it from here.
Until we meet in Valhalla, where the valorous reside.
Very nice John. Count me in as one of Guy’s students who was heavily influenced by his example. As an instructor I try hard to emulate his mix of expertise, rampart with the students, and willingness to get down in the dirt. To his core he was a devoted and active patriot. The world is a lessor place without him.
Sucks that we’ve got a training engagement that day. A whole lot of people will be there that Guy inspired to get active and involved in teaching others…
Nice tribute. I didn’t know Guy, but I see it is my loss.
One more called home…….Great dude had many laughing timing around him…..TheGuy and Scout can now have the Shoot off for glory…..Seeya boys Top side…Hoooozahhhhh Hooozahhhh
Rest easy, Guy. https://youtu.be/sMYQFpPovfQ
Rest now my brother! Although sadly, we will celebrate your life.
Met The Guy at my first Rifleman Boot Camp and he left a lasting impression.
Too short a life, but great accomplishments. Thank you, Guy. I await more of your storytelling. You are a great Patriot and inspiration. Ave atque vale.
I only met the Guy once but I give him the greatest honor as I am a student of his students. And I teach my students what his students taught me. His legacy will live on.
I’m glad to have had the privilege of meeting the Guy at a Rifleman’s Boot Camp in Kansas. His dedication to the cause of liberty is nothing short of inspiring, and is a strong example for us all. Well done Guy!
What a wonderful tribute to my nephew, Chris “Guy” Gibb. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for telling his story. He was loved.
I’ve known Chris most of my life. We went to school together, played football together, and worked on his dad’s farm together. You’re gonna be missed brother. You and Tracey have a cold one waiting for me when the time is right. I will see you guys again. Love you bro.
I first met “The Guy” at our first Rifleman’s Boot Camp in Kansas. By then he was pretty much a rock star with Appleseed. He and Dinky raised the bar for all the Instructors in Kansas, and inspired us all to excel.
Later on, Guy was at the first USRA Instructor training camp (including NRA rifle Instructor certification), and was his inimitable self.
What more can I say….he will be sorely missed.
The Guy gave me my Orange hat as an Appleseed Instructor in Training; my Red hat when I became a fully qualified Appleseed instructor; and my Green Hat as a Shoot Boss. I valued his example, his instruction, and his passion, and I’ve tried to pass that on to others.
As long as any of his students, or his student’s students, remember him, a bit of him will still be with us.
Rest in Peace, Guy.
Rest now brother, it is our turn to carry on what you mentored to so many. 7.62×51 always. We shall meet again in the final battle.
Rest in Peace brother. Send my regards to the real Master. Well done faithful servant, take your reward for you have earned it. Your legacy is intact and for all who knew you we are better for it.
Know peace now. Thanks Guy!
Sounds like a true patriot. Especially today when some people think our fight is won or lost on an internet forum.
Stood many an hour with Chris on the firing line at Buffalo Rock as an RSO. The Guy was a fine instructor and his students showed it. We will be hard pressed to find another like him.
I’m happy to have been able to call him a friend.
You’ll be missed Guy, may you now rest in peace in God’s house.
My son, daughter and I were fortunate to meet Guy at the first
APPLESEED bootcamp in Osage Beach. He was a remarkable
Young man with infinite patience and ability and kindness.
I remember seeing him squat down with a young boy. .his arm
Around his shoulder, obviously encouraging him for whatever
Reason. He called me granny…and I loved him. So did we all.
People will forever wonder why good men die young. I can’t answer that but I do know why great men die. Because they’ve earned it. Guy’s passion for liberty and freedom was too big for this world. His faith and commitment second to none. His example should be an inspiration to us all. Do great things, because someday you too shall pass, and when that day comes – make sure you’ve earned it.
Our world has lost a rare True Believer who was also a selfless Actor in furtherance of those beliefs. We are lessened with his loss, yet are greater for his presence. Pax.
I got my “Orange Hat” from the Guy. He was my inspiration for getting involved with the Appleseed project and later, attending gunsmithing school. I got my “Red Hat” from one of The Guy’s students and became the first “Shoot Boss” for Appleseed in Colorado in 2010.
The active duty Military Police attending my shoot in Fountain, CO were so impressed they passed the word up the chain of command at the Air Force Academy. They in turn invited Appleseed to put on a shoot for the Academy where all of our instructors out shot the marksmanship instructor from the Academy! All this because of a guy named “The Guy” from the state that hates guns…
One person really can influence a lot of people/things/events after all…. Guy was a good example to us all, and will be missed by all that crossed his path. May we learn from his example.
Good job Bob. ..in every way. Im proud of yoy.
Thank you for this.