John Michael “Bubba” Gidley went to be with his Lord, Jesus Christ, on Jan. 28, 2026.

John is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Linda J. (Bonar); daughters, Melissa Powell (Dustin) and Mandy Nash (Greg); grandchildren, Alexis, Cohen, Katie and Garrison, all of Greensboro, North Carolina. Also surviving is John’s “baby sister” and best friend, Susan E. (Gidley) Umbras of Port Charlotte, Florida.

The only son of John T. Gidley and Erma E. (Gidley) Davis, John was born Aug. 3, 1944, in Ravenna, Ohio, grew up in Malvern, Ohio, and graduated from high school with the Class of 1962. John attended Fenn College and Ohio State before graduating with a BS degree from Kent State in 1971. He was in the U.S. Army Reserves for six years. He was a member of Community In Christ Presbyterian Church for 37 years and spent five years at Alamance Presbyterian Church.

John worked in engineering and manufacturing management positions with several large capital equipment builders, most notably Babcock & Wilcox (Ohio), Elliot Company (Pennsylvania), Beloit Corporation (Wisconsin and South Carolina) and Siemens Energy (Wisconsin). Before retiring in 2012, John provided managerial, technical and sales support to several area manufacturers, including Beaman Corporation in Liberty, North Carolina.

John enjoyed cars his entire life, owning countless Corvettes and other Chevrolet performance vehicles. His many red Corvette convertibles were his favorites. John enjoyed fishing from his boyhood, always happy just to go fishing. Catching fish really didn’t matter; he just loved to go fishing. Later in life, John enjoyed watching drag racing and a variety of sports.

John and his family had many moving experiences, having lived in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois and South Carolina before moving to Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1984. John has moved this last time, going now to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at Alamance Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Forbis & Dick, Pleasant Garden Chapel, is serving the Gidley family.