Tucson, Arizona
Col. (Ret.) Ralph D. "Hoot" Gibson Ralph D. "Hoot" Gibson was born in Keensburg, Illinois and raised in nearby Mt. Carmel. His military career began in 1943 when he joined the U.S. Air Corps. During his 31 years as a fighter pilot, he served in the occupation of Japan after WWII; in the Korean...
Read MoreEven tho. I never got to see Duane after I left Mt. Carmel, I always heard about him from my Grandmother True Parr & his Mother Aunt Ruby when I would visit them. I never got to meet Duane (the name I always heard when young)when I visited my sister & brother after they moved to Tucson. I feel like I missed a lot by not knowing him better. I wish you & your family the very best.
Jean Parr
January 05, 2010 | Evansville, IN
Donna,Hoot told so many stories, but one of my favorites was the one of how he wanted you for his wife! He was an inspiration to all! And we are better people for knowing him! I am blessed to have had the priviledge of working with him for so many years. He was one of the most incredible men I have ever know. Our prayers and thoughts will always be with you and your family. He was loved by so many!
Teresa Carter
January 03, 2010 | Oro Valley, AZ
Donna, As the new year dawns, I wish you the best. My memories of Hoot still live on, and will forever. He was such a champion.
Neal Hicks
January 02, 2010 | Aurora, CO
I had the honor of flying Col. Gibson's wing a few times while at Nellis AFB in 1959. God may have made a few pilots as good, but I never met one, and in my career I was fortunate to have met many great fighter pilots.
Jim LaChance LTC. USAF RET.
February 01, 2009 | Austin, TX
I am sorry for your family's loss; I hope you don't mind, but I saw Hoot's name and story in the paper in Michigan and it startled me because we were neighbors in the 40's in Chicago of Fern and Hoot Gibson. They were wonderful to us as kids and if they were relatives, thank you.
Suzanne Cronin
January 16, 2009 | MI
As in life, “Hoot” remains an inspiration to us all. Never wavering in his love of country, thirst for success and passion for flying. We are better people for having known Hoot and will always be grateful for the times we shared with Hoot and Donna.
Dick & Dee Pfeiffer
January 13, 2009 | Vail, AZ
I was shocked at the lose of "Hoot" Gibson, one of the few I call a hero like Bud Day! He was truly what a "Hollywood Fighter Pilot" should be and he set the example for all of us younger fighter pilots.
He always Checked Six,
Barry Howard, Col (R)
Barry Howard
January 13, 2009 | Placitas, NM
Hoot made us proud. He was what most of us only dream of being, a true American hero. He was John Wayne in the flesh! God Speed!
Mark Dorman
January 13, 2009 | Chandler, AZ
Dear Aunt Donna, I had just started emailing uncle Hoot a short time ago, I wish I had known him better, Many people loved him
Edward Gibson Hamm
January 13, 2009 | Washington, DC
