John Thomas Giboney passed away on Friday, November 29, 2024 at the age of 50. He was born on November 14, 1974 in Springfield, MO and lived with his parents until 2015 when he moved in with his sister, Dora, in the St. Louis area.

John attended Springfield Public Schools and graduated in 1993 from Glendale High School. John was active in his Springfield community and volunteered at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church as an usher and server. John loved sports and participated in track, golf, basketball, and bowling through Special Olympics and Champion Athletes of the Ozarks. He was selected to play golf and represent Missouri at the World Special Olympics games in Raleigh, NC in 1999. He was named an Outstanding Athlete for Special Olympics and was inducted into the Missouri Special Olympics Hall of Fame as well as the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. John worked at JC Penney and Campbell 16 Movie Theater in Springfield for many years.

After relocating to St. Louis, John volunteered at the Open Door Animal Sanctuary and Exceptional Equestrians of the Missouri Valley. He learned to care for, groom, tack, and ride horses at Exceptional Equestrians and was mentored by Ellie Stackle Uebel. He also participated in many activities through the TASK program in Fenton, MO.

John’s friends and family will remember him best for his sense of humor, his love of animals, and his love of TV shows such as Dallas, Dukes of Hazard, and Happy Days. And of course, memories of John would not be complete without mentioning his love of an “ice cold Dr. Pepper”.

John’s passion was NFL football. He loved to recite all 32 teams’ names, the city where they were located, the name of their stadium and mascot, and their head coach. He loved art and coloring and filled many NFL coloring books as he watched games with his friends and family. His favorite team was the Philadelphia Eagles.

He is survived by his parents, Joe and Sharon Giboney. Siblings include sister Michelle and her husband Chuck Chauvin along with their children: Tim, Sarah, Mary (Andy) Gildehaus, Peter (Tanigha) Chauvin, Hannah (Danny) Steurer, and Rose along with great-niece Mia, great-nephews Frank, Marcus, and Oscar. Brother Mike and his wife Gary, nephew Jake Giboney. Sister Dora Giboney and her children Boone (Sarah), Ian (Maddie), Caleb (Jaslynn), and Katey McIntosh as well as great-niece Carleigh. Sister Sarah Giboney and her children Cleo, Josey, and Charlie Uhrig. Plus aunts, uncles, and many cousins.

Visitation will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Springfield, MO on Thursday, December 12th from 10:30am-noon and the Funeral Mass will follow immediately. Burial at Resurrection Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Exceptional Equestrians of the Missouri Valley in Washington, MO or Shriner’s Hospital for Children.