Donald Gibson

Donald Leland

Gibson

Resident of Los Gatos

5/29/1929-12/15/2010

Don died in peace Dec. 15 at age 90 with family by his side. He bravely faced the effects of Parkinson's disease while trying to enjoy life to it's fullest. He was loving, loveable, fun to be with and will be missed so much.

Born in Honolulu, Don grew up in Los Gatos, graduating from high school there in 1939. He attended San Jose State then joined the Air Corps in 1942. He flew B-26s over N. Africa. He once saved his plane and crew when a fuel line was hit during a mission by using mess kit gum to plug the leak.

Post-war, Don worked at and later retired from FMC in San Jose. As a mechanical engineer he designed track systems for military armored vehicles. His favorite activity was tennis. An early member of the Los Gatos Swim & Racquet Club, Don played tennis regularly until he was 81. He also enjoyed music, dancing and playing bridge. He moved to Rossmoor Retirement Community in Walnut Creek in 2000, but returned to the valley in 2004 to be near his daughter as his health declined. He lived briefly at the Saratoga Retirement Community and his last few years at the Caring Hearts assisted care home in San Jose.

Don is survived by his sister, Barbara Baggerly, his children Carol Peterson and Walter Gibson, grandchildren Christine Rhinehart, Brian Peterson, Donald and Mark Gibson, Steve and Charles Endweiss and great grandsons Jeffrey Rhinehart and Calvin Endweiss.

Friends and family will gather at a future date to share memories of this wonderful man. Donations in Don's name may be made to the Parkinson's Institute.