Robert James Gibson

February 26, 1925 - February 02, 2014

Awesome Dad and Grandpa

Robert James Gibson died at Providence Regional Medical Center, Everett, WA, 24 days shy of 89 years old.

Born in Burbank, California to Thomas Victor Gibson and Anna Doukin Gibson. Bob joined the U.S. Navy at 17 years old during World War II and was assigned to the USS Portland from 10/14/1942 to 1/30/1946. He was a Ships Cook with his battle station of hoisting amno up to the turret guns. The ship was primarily in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and fought in many battles including the Philippine Liberation. Bob completed his high school studies aboard the USS Portland in between the battles via correspondence course. Upon leaving the US Navy, he attended briefly the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and then went to Airframe & Powerplant School in Tulsa, Ok where he graduated with his A&P license. His first job took him to Long Island, NY where he worked as a machinist and then later moving back to his beloved Southern California where he continued working as a machinist. After a workforce reduction, Bob began a career as a San Diego County Park Ranger from which he retired. His many hobbies included hiking, biking, football, baseball and remote control aircraft.

Bob will be remembered as an Awesome Dad and Grandpa. He was kind with a great sense of humor and sweet spirit. Bob always had a positive attitude and was grateful for what he did have in any given situation.

Bob is survived by his wife, Betty Merle Watkins Gibson of Ramona, CA; oldest sister, Roma Walsh Gibson Burnett of Bonsall, CA; his children, Theresa Jane Pipes, Spokane, WA; Barbara Anne Gibson Iams and husband, Mark, Everett, WA; William Robert Gibson, Robert James Gibson, Jr, and wife, Elissa Gibson, and James Alexander Gibson, Ramona, CA. He has five grandchildren all living, James Wayne Yancey, Spokane, WA; Bryn-Erinn Pipes Gourley and husband Brett, Lebanon, NH; Sarah Denise Yancey, Everett, WA; Taylor Gibson and Kayla Gibson, Ramona, CA and two great-grandchildren, Elodie and Allan Gourley.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Thomas Victor Gibson, Jr.; sister, Doris M. Gibson Traver; and son-in-law, Allan Moss Pipes.

Dad/Grandpa will be missed but we all have those great memories he has given us through the years.

FUNERAL INFORMATION

A memorial is planned for February 22, 2014, 10:00 a.m. at the Congregational Church of Ramona, 404 – 8th Street, Ramona, CA 92065.

Memorial

Miss Me, But Let Me Go

When I come to the end of the road and the sun has set for me, I want no rites in a gloom-filled room, why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little-but not too long, and not with your head bowed low. Remember the love that we once shared. Miss me-but let me go.

For this is a journey we all must take, and each must go alone. It is all a part of the Master's plan, a step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick of heart, go to the friends we know, and bury your sorrows in doing good deeds. Miss me-but let me go.

Author Unknown

Love Lives On

Those we love remain with us,
for Love itself lives on.

Cherished memories never fade;
because one loved is gone.

Those we love can never be
more than a thought apart,

for as long as there's a memory
they live on in our heart.

Think of him as living
in the hearts of those he touched,

for nothing loved is ever lost,
and he was loved so much.