Alumnus of the Year 2024 (1959)
Don Hibdon - Early in Orland’s automotive history, Ray Hibdon and JV Gamble opened an automotive repair business at the Northwest corner of Highway 32 and Third Street. What started out as a gas station and automotive repair shop eventually morphed into a family auto sales business. In 1948 the business was moved to Sixth Street where the Hay Wagon is currently located. In 1954 the business moved again, this time to East Walker Street where it is still located. Don took his turn running the business and eventually turned the leadership over to his son, Shawn, who currently runs Hibdon Auto Center, selling new and used automobiles and trucks and repairing all makes and models.
Don Hibdon graduated from Orland High in 1959, attended Chico State College and later the General Motors training School in Fremont, California for Automotive Mechanical Training. In 1970 Don traveled to Michigan for General Motors Dealer Training.
Don has also been very active in the Orland community, joining the Orland Volunteer Fire Department in 1970 where he received training in rural fire suppression. Don was also certified as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) 1A and was promoted within the Fire Department to as high as a 2nd assistant Fire Chief. He spent 31 years in the Orland Volunteer Fire Department. During this time Don also worked part time for West Side Ambulance Association and eventually worked fulltime for over a year.
Don and wife Bonnie were married in 1981 and have five children; Rob Hibdon/Ranee, Shawn Hibdon, Breann Lowe/Clint, Amy Tsuchiya/Darrin, and Angie Palacios. They have eleven grandchildren.
