Jerald Glen Gibson

1941 - 2017

Jerald Glen Gibson

Breckenridge, TX

Jerald Glen Gibson, 75, of Breckenridge, Texas, passed away March 10, 2017. He was born December 13, 1941 to Jesse and Doris Deaver Gibson in Longview, Texas. He was a loving and faithful husband of 58 years; an adored father, grandfather and great-grandfather; and a devout and active Christian.

Jerry met the love of his life, Judy Wright, on his first day of school in Breckenridge, marrying her in 1959. He was all-state quarterback for the 1958 and 1959 Championship teams at Breckenridge High School. He played football for Oklahoma University and for the Abilene Christian University (ACU) championship team of 1963, graduating from ACU in 1965 with a BS in Education.

"Coach" Gibson coached football and taught English at San Angelo Central, where he helped coach the 1966 state championship team. He also coached and taught at Abilene, Winters and Fort Stockton High Schools, where he impacted the lives of numerous young men and fellow coaches.

He transitioned into a secondary career in business in 1972, where he excelled for two decades, eventually serving as Vice President of Marketing for American Amicable and Eureka Life Insurance.

In 1990 Jerry returned to teaching at Breckenridge High School where he also coached football, softball and track, positively affecting the lives of an entirely new generation of young men and women. He then moved to Graham High School, serving as government and economics teacher, and eventually as dean of students.

Jerry retired in 2008, returning to his childhood roots as a cattle rancher and spending his remaining years as a loving husband, a dedicated church leader and a doting grandfather. His nine grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren still consider him the original "wuffle-duffle" and loved their "Pop" dearly.

Throughout all phases of his life, Jerry was an active church member, a noted community leader and a patriarch for his family. He was a consummate mentor of young men, including his three sons, many grandsons, teammates, athletes and countless students who looked up to him.

He is survived by his wife Judy Wright Gibson; sisters Karen Berry and Shelia Pester; sons Guy and wife Debra, Greg and wife Oteka, Grant and wife Laura; grandchildren Gage and wife Elise Gibson, Jourdan and husband Jeremy Smith, Devin Gibson, Scout and wife Emily Gibson, Tate Gibson, Emma Gibson, Everett and wife Nicole Gibson, Emory Gibson and Davis Gibson; and great-grandchildren Jillian and Noah Smith. He is preceded in passing by his parents Jesse and Doris Gibson and his brother Don Gibson.

In lieu of flowers, his family requests donations be made to Foster's Home for Children in Stephenville, Texas (www.fostershome.org).

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, March 12, 2017 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM. Memorial services are to be held at Elliott Street Church of Christ on Monday, March 13, 2017, at 2:00PM, with a private burial service to follow. Arrangements are under the direction of Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home.