Obituary: Gibson, Gerald Glenville, Jr.
Age 83
Gerry passed away in Spokane on February 26, 2014.
He was born in Walla Walla, Washington to Margaret Rose (Saxton) Gibson and Gerald Glenville Gibson Sr.
He was preceded in death by sisters Celia Tomlin and Judith Ann Gibson.
He is survived by his sister Jean Coe and her husband Butch (Cove, OR); sister Karen Cramer and her husband Roger (Stanwood, WA); sister Sally Depew (Boulder, CO); and his brother Jon Gibson and his wife Jessica (Aurora, OR).
He was married to Dee Lee Tucker for 50 years from 1958 to 2008 and raised 5 children: Tracy Gibson Williams of Issaquah, Tucker Gibson of Spokane, Tyler Gibson of Boise, Tricia Gibson Hopkins of Spokane, and Tim Gibson of Walla Walla.
He was much loved by his twelve grandchildren: Ben Gibson, Alicia Gibson, Taylor Hopkins, Emily Gibson, Kathryn Gibson, Joshua Gibson, Michael Hopkins, Jonathan Williams, Dylan Hopkins, Alice Gibson, and Beau Gibson.
He was an avid sports participant in school, playing varsity football, basketball, and baseball.
He graduated from Waitsburg High School, and attended Whitman College.
He served in the Alpine Border Patrol while with the Field Artillery of the 519th Battalion in the United Stated Army.
He served in the National Ski Patrol, both in the European region at Garmsich, Germany, as well as Spout Springs, Oregon.
While he was an eligible bachelor, he was a snow packer in Sun Valley, Idaho.
He was an original investor in the Ski Bluewood Project.
The family spent many weekends and vacations skiing at Schweitzer, McCall, Sun Valley, Anthony Lakes, and Spout Springs.
He loved to travel, and took trips to Australia and New Zealand, South Africa and Lesotho, The Panama Canal, and the great American Southwest.
His travels also included skiing in Austria, Italy, and Switzerland.
Gerry farmed dryland wheat at Dodge Junction in Garfield County for nearly 50 years.
He was an animal lover, raising farm animals and spotting all varieties of wild animals wherever he went.
His cabin cruiser made a trip from Wallula to Portland and back, and many trips on the Snake River and Priest Lake.
He was an avid sportsman, fishing throughout the Pacific Northwest.
He loved the family clam digs, and cooked clam chowder until his kitchen privileges were revoked.
He attended Mariner’s games in person and followed the Seahawks from the TV, enjoying the Super Season and the Superbowl party at his house.
Most of all he loved his family.
He delighted in his children and grandchildren and was often in attendance at their sports and music events.
He faithfully gathered with his siblings at biennial reunions, celebrating the lives of the families.
He especially loved the newest additions, and is often pictured with the newest baby in his arms.
A memorial service will be held at the College Place Presbyterian Church, at 2:00 pm on Sunday, March 2nd., 325 NE Damson Rd., College Place, WA.
A graveside service is planned for later in the spring.
Memorial contributions may be made to Heifer International http://www.heifer.org/ or Snow Leopard Trust https://www.snowleopard.org/.
Communication with the family can be made via email at tracyswilliams@comcast.net