Obituary

Gibson, John (Jack)

John "Jack" Gibson, 87, of Lubbock, passed away on Dec. 28, 2015. Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4, 2016, at First United Methodist Church on Broadway in Lubbock, Bowman Chapel with Dr. Keith Wiseman officiating. Funeral service arrangements are under the direction of Lemons Funeral Home of Plainview. Jack was born on Oct. 29, 1928, in Detroit, Michigan, to John Stanley and Helen (Bovay) Gibson. He grew up in Washington, D.C. and graduated from Fishburne Military Academy in Waynesboro, Virginia, in 1946. He proudly served in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska, serving as an announcer on the Armed Forces Radio Network. Jack married the love of his life, Cecelia Winningham, on Dec. 29, 1951, and together they embarked on an incredible journey that spanned seven decades. Jack continued his education after his military service, obtaining Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from Texas Tech University and a Doctoral Degree from Oklahoma University. His professional career included positions at KFYO radio, KCBD television and as a professor of radio, television and speech at Texas Tech University, Wayland Baptist College and the University of Texas at Arlington. He acted in several community theatre productions and was a long-time member of Rotary International in Arlington and Lubbock and was named a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also very active in his church and with the Lubbock Friends of the Library, where he was recently honored with a lifetime achievement award. Jack and Cecelia moved to Lubbock in 2001 and attended the First United Methodist Church. They were married for over 60 years until her passing in October 2012. He was preceded in death by his wife Cecelia; two sons, Jon Roettig Gibson and J. Stanley "Jim" Gibson and one sister, Gloria Rogerson of El Paso. Survivors include one son, Jeff Gibson and wife Tina of Lubbock; one daughter, Jan Gibson Worthy of Lubbock; three grandchildren, Julia Worthy of Canyon, Andrew Worthy of Lubbock and John Gibson of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and one half-brother, William "Bill" Gibson and wife Beverly of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. John is also survived by several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials be made to First United Methodist Church of Lubbock, Friends of the Library or The Children's Home of Lubbock.