Kenneth Harry Gibson

Kenneth Harry Gibson was born October 23, 1932, in Clinton, Iowa, the son of Kenneth H. and Mildred L (Turner) Gibson. He graduated from Clinton High School. Ken attended college in Bismark, North Dakota, and is a graduate of Scott Community College were he recieved his Associate Degree in Nursing Home Administration. He served as an Army Private in the Korean War. Ken has lived in Clinton, Iowa, Davenport, Iowa, Carbon Cliff, Ill., Colona, Ill., and Kewanee, Ill., before residing in Williamsburg, Iowa, in the late 80s. Ken was a health care administrator for the Williamsburg Care Center for many years. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Williamsburg. He held the position of Quarter Master for 11 years for the Iburg Poulson VFW Post #8797 in Williamsburg, he was a member of the 700 Bowling Club of America and he was the Iowa State All Events Bowling Champion in 1961. He was an active volunteer for the VA Medical Center in Iowa City. Ken's creative skills created the character "Vincent Hedges" the vampire who starred in the 1970s era Acri Creature feature. This much loved character is still remembered by many throughout Iowa and Illinois. Ken's life was a life lived for "the other." A relentless volunteer, he spent much of his life volunteering and as a recruiter of resources for many charities. An estimate of the dollars generated through his efforts rise into the hundreds of thousands and the list of lives touched is in the tens of thousands. But more important to him, were not the impressive totals, but rather the inherent belief that his life, and all of our lives, is to be lived for "the other." Self riches and self grandeur never entered this humbled servants thoughts. Ken firmly believed that all of us need to understand "that which you do to the least of these, you do unto me." Even in his death, he continued this belief through the donation of his body to the University of Iowa so that still others might learn from his gift. Glory and thanks be to God for Ken's life lived. Ken died Thursday, September 28, 2006, at the VA Medical Center in Iowa City after a short illness. He lived 73 years, 11 months and 5 days.
Ken is survived by his children, Terry (Phillip) Mitro, of Williamsburg, Kenneth (Jodi) Gibson, of Dubuque, Iowa, Laurence (Jenny) Gibson, of Mahomet, Illinois, and Joseph (Lisa) Gibson, of Plymouth, Indiana; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Pete (Connie) Anderson, of Bellevue, Iowa, and Carl (Sandy) Chase, of Clinton, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Gibson and Mildred Turner Anderson, stepparents, Carl Anderson and Winifred Anderson, and a sister Jaqueline Winoski.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, September 30, 2006, at the Uhlmann-Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Williamsburg. Visitation will be from 11 to 1 p.m. Saturday, September 30, 2006. Memorials are for the Volunteer Services at the VA Medical Center or Iburg Poulson VFW Post #8797. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries.