RalphGibson

 Ralph Gibson, Age 88, of Celeste passed away the morning of Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at his residence.  Services will be held on Saturday at 10:00 AM at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Bill Eason officiating and remembrances by grandchildren Sandy McNeely, Michael Eason and Steven Eason.  Burial will follow at McWright Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 6 PM to 8 PM on Friday at the funeral home.

Mr. Gibson was born on March 19, 1920 in Celeste, Texas to Malcolm Roscoe and Vera Mae Gibson.  On January 11, 1947, he married Helen Ruth Fowler.   

During World War II, Mr. Gibson served in the United States Army Air Corp being stationed in England.  He received the European/African/Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 6 bronze stars, served in the 8^th Air Force, 834 Bombardment Squadron with Presidential Citations for battles and campaigns of Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, Central Europe, and the Air offensive of Europe, and received one service strip and 2 overseas service bars. 

In 1982, Mr. Gibson retired from E/systems – Engineering Reproduction.  He lived on his family farm that received a Family Heritage Award for 100 years in the same family in July, 2005.  He traveled and worked on genealogy to pass on this legacy to his family.

He was a member of Whiterock United Methodist Church where he served as an Administrative Council Member and as a Pastor Parish Relations Committee Member.  He was very proud when his grandson came back to serve as his pastor.  He became a Christian at an early age, and he loved his church and loved the Lord. He also belonged to the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans.

His survivors include his wife, Helen of Celeste; daughters Jeanette Scott and husband, John of Greenville and Paula Eason and husband, Larry of Celeste; grandchildren Sandy McNeely of Houston, Anna Scott of Greenville, Rev. Bill Eason and wife, Martha of Celeste, Michael Eason and wife, Jana of Sulphur Springs, and Steven Eason and wife, Tammy of Greenville; great-grandchildren Drew, Nathan, and Laura McNeely of Houston, Colby Hunter and  Sean and Aryn Eason of Celeste, Ty and Allie Eason of Sulphur Springs, Tristen Baker and Kaela and Alyssa Eason of Greenville; sisters Mary Hendricks, Della Nation, and Peggy Travis all of Greenville and Lois Hicks of Plano.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Paul Gibson.

Pallbearers will be Michael Eason, Steven Eason, Drew McNeely, Nathan McNeely, Colby Hunter, Sean Eason, Ty Eason, Tristen Baker, and  Dale Hicks.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of Whiterock United Methodist Church:  Alyne Tidwell, Johnnie and Ruth Barker, Robert and Ruth Holloway, Margie Childress, Charlsey Tidwell, Bob and Maryfrances Casey, Graham, Gary, Isla and Ailee, Josephine Steele, Robert and Ruth St. Clair, Joe and Barbara Austin, Julie Holloway, Shelley and Ashley, Ruth Card, James Hayworth, Ted Rockwell, and Brenda Juarez.  Johnny Jackson, Gerald Williams, and Dr. Dee G. McCrary are also honorary pallbearers.

Family request memorials be made to Whiterock United Methodist Church, % Ruth Holloway, 4067 CR 1040, Celeste, TX   75423.