Richard Gibian, who once owned the American Candy Manufacturing Company in Selma, passed away Friday at age 95.

Gibian acquired the business after flying 87 combat missions during World War II. With him in charge, American Candy quickly became one of the nation’s leading candy companies and at one time owned the rights to sell hard candy at Walt Disney Parks.

Wayne Vardaman worked with Gibian for about 15 years before the company was sold to new ownership. He said he was by far the best individual he had worked for.

“If you were in the hospital, he’d be there. If you had a birthday, he’d recognize it,” said Vardman, who served as the company’s director of operations under Gibian. “He was a good guy. If you could draw up what a person would be like to run a company, you’d certainly put him at the top of the list.”

Gibian graduated from Lanier High School in 1937 and Georgia Tech in 1942. After graduation, he enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program and would later become a flight instructor for advanced pilot training.

People who knew Gibian rave about how talented he was as a pilot.

“I took several flights with him. He had a Bonzanza plane,” said Charles Pollack, who worked as the director of purchasing at the American Candy Company for nearly two decades. “I had some trips with him to Atlanta and he was a super pilot. I never had any qualms getting in a small plane with him.”

In 2012, Gibian was one of 12 American veterans presented with the French Legion of Honor medal for his duty in World War II, the country’s highest distinction.

After the war, he met Betty Rose Leva, who would become his wife of 66 years, and joined his father-in-law Jackson Leva at the American Candy Company. After Jackson Leva passed away, Gibian acquired the business and launched it to new heights. American Candy soon became the only company with licensing to sell hard candy at Walt Disney Parks.

“Selling in the parks was a part of it, but having Mickey and Minney and that type thing — that put us on the map,” Vardaman said.

Those who worked for him said Gibian and American Candy always put the community ahead of the company’s interests, which set it apart.

“When I was working there, we were just a big happy family,” Pollack said. “We not only worked together but we socialized together. It was a real good environment.”

In 2012, the company held a reunion in Selma and Gibian was among many former employees that were able to attend. Gibian said then that American Candy Company ran 13 production lines at the Selma facility to produce candy at a maximum capacity, which peaked at about 10,000 pounds of candy per hour.

“I don’t think I could have found a better bunch of people to work with over the years,” Gibian said then. “I mean everyone, from the janitor on up. It was great to see everyone again.”

Graveside services will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at Old Live Oak Cemetery with Steve Grossman officiating and Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home directing.

He is survived by his son, Richard Jr., and daughters Gail and Joan.