Gib was born in Oakland, California on July 22, 1946. His music career started at Los Gatos High School, where he was in a band called the Exiles. He served in the Army from 1966-1969 in Hawaii at Tripler Army Hospital where he worked in the postal department. He was also in a band during that time. In 1971 he joined Bill Chiechi to form the “Entertainers.”
He met his wife Gayle, and in 1972 they married. They had a daughter, Sabrina in 1975 while traveling on the road with the “Entertainers” in Warren, Ohio. Gib delivered his son Kevin at home in Santa Clara in 1976. Gib and Gayle moved to Gilroy in 1977 to raise their family.
He had an accident in 1986 which left him a quadriplegic, but did not diminish his desire to sing. His strong faith in God lead him to work at City Team Ministry in San Jose as Church Relations Coordinator, where he sang in a lot of churches.
He enjoyed jail ministry and loved praying with anyone who needed prayer. Gib and Gayle settled in Santa Cruz in 2000, bought a motorhome and traveled the US for the next four years. Gib was on the board of “Love in the Name of Christ” (Love INC), and when it dissolved he got on the board of the Pregnancy Resource Center. He was on the church council, part of the worship team, choir and weekly men’s Bible group. He was an encourager and a prayer warrior. A celebration of life was held January 14, 2017 at Santa Cruz Community Church.
Anyone wishing to make a donation in Gib’s memory, may send it to Pregnancy Resource Center, 1570 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95065.
Gilbert “Gib” Montalvo, Jr July 22, 1946 – December 25, 2016
