Gerald Dean Gibson

Gerald Gibson, 78, of Groesbeck, went to be with the Lord, Wednesday, November 16, 2011. Visitation will be Friday, November 18, 2011, from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Groesbeck Funeral Home. Services will be 10 A.M. on Saturday, November 19 at the Groesbeck Church of Christ, with ministers and long-time friends Richard Williams and Charles Daily officiating. Burial will follow in Faulkenberry Cemetery. Gerald was born September 13, 1933, to Jay and Gertrude (Ridge) Gibson in the Box Church community near Groesbeck, Texas. He moved to Groesbeck in 1939 and grew up there, graduating from Groesbeck High School in 1951. He earned a scholarship to Baylor University and attended Baylor for three years, playing clarinet in the Golden Wave Marching Band. He transferred to Harding University for his senior year where he held another scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics on June 2, 1955. In 1955 he moved to Elsa, Texas in order to take a position as a teacher, beginning a long career as an educator. In 1956, he took a job as a social studies teacher in Freeport, Texas where he served as a classroom teacher for twelve years. At the same time, beginning in 1962, he also served as the preacher for the Jones Creek Church of Christ, near Freeport. Also during this period, he found time to complete his Master’s in Education from Baylor, receiving this degree August 25, 1961. In 1962 he married Bonnie Faye Thompson of Waco to whom he remained happily married until his death. The two of them moved to Groesbeck in 1968 in order to help his father start a grocery store. He helped at the store for two years while teaching English and social studies at Groesbeck Junior High. In 1969-70 he also found time to study Accounting at Baylor, and for the next 40 years operated an income tax preparation business out of his home. He continued to teach until 1980 when he became principal of Groesbeck Primary School. He served as principal of this school until his retirement in 1993. Among his many accomplishments as principal were starting the first central library, the first computer lab, and the first foreign language program at his school. For these efforts, Groesbeck Primary received recognition as a Gold Star School from then Governor Ann Richards in 1993. Upon his retirement in 1993, he entered full time into the real estate investment business, acquiring and renovating dozens of houses and rental units in the Groesbeck area. Over his life, he provided for his family in a number of ways including driving a school bus, selling insurance, and running cattle on a 67-acre ranch. In addition to his business endeavors, he proudly served his community in various volunteer endeavors. He was a long-time member of the Lions Club, serving as President in 1993, and he was elected to the Governing Board of Directors of the South Limestone Hospital in 1992. He was most proud, however, of his work for the Lord’s church. Upon being baptized in 1950, he entered into a life-long ministry of preaching and evangelism, holding gospel meetings and preaching on Sundays for small churches who lacked a preacher. In addition to preaching for the Jones Creek Church of Christ, he was employed as a preacher by the Bremond Church of Christ from 1968-69, the Bald Prairie Church of Christ from 1970-71, the Kosse Church of Christ from 1971-80, and the Fallon Church of Christ from 1981-91. In 1991 he became an elder of the Church of Christ in Groesbeck, where he served until 2011. Over the years he performed numerous weddings and funerals, preached countless sermons, and blessed the lives of many with his words of wisdom and kind encouragement. One of the enjoyments of Gerald’s life was music, gospel and especially Bob Will’s western tunes. He and Bonnie enjoyed many trips to Branson and other travels, including touring Europe. He was an avid sports fan, and chose the Texas Longhorns and the Cleveland Browns as his teams. He looked forward to eating out, especially when he could get bread pudding. He also had enjoyed the pleasure of a personal chef, Brad Truitt, for the past couple of years, serving him delicious meals at his home. He was a beloved educator, minister, and friend; a businessman of integrity; a loving husband; and a cherished father, grandfather, and father-in-law. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; his son, Brian Gibson and wife, Lourdes, of Waco; his son, Brent Gibson, and wife, Katherine, of Waco; and grandchildren, Maci, Mack, Camille, and Bonnie Gibson, and Christopher Molina. Memorials may be made to the Groesbeck Church of Christ, S. Ellis Street, Groesbeck, TX 76642, or to the Maffett Memorial Library, 601 W. Yeagua St., Groesbeck, TX 76642.