Rodney Everett Gibson

1951 - 2024

Rodney Everett Gibson

December 23, 1951 - February 1, 2024

San Luis Obispo, California - Died on February 1, 2024, from pulmonary fibrosis. He passed away peacefully with family members at his home in San Luis Obispo, CA. He was 72.

Rod will be remembered as an adoring husband of his wife Alice, a loving father, grandfather, brother and uncle, and a kind friend, who brought intelligence, optimism, and tenacity to everything he did and laughter to every occasion. Graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1974, Rod served 26 years as an Air Force Officer, attaining the rank of Colonel and, as a command pilot, logging more than 2,500 hours flying B-52s and FB-111s. After leaving the Air Force in 2000, Rod became a successful financial planner in Fresno, CA, President of his local Rotary Club, and an active member of his church. With Alice, he served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in the Fresno community.

Rod lived his life serving God, the country he was willing to give his life for, the family he raised, and the many communities he lived in throughout the world. Underpinning it all was an essential human decency, honesty, and generosity of spirit.

Rod was born on December 23, 1951 in Lawrence, KS to Richard "Dick" and Thyra Gibson, both originally of Omaha, NE. Rod was the oldest of what would be five children. As Dick pursued his careers in the Air Force and academia the family moved frequently, living in Enid, OK; Tainan, Taiwan, Urbana, IL; San Antonio, TX; Overland Park, KS; Boulder, CO; and Omaha where Rod graduated from Westside High School in 1970.

After earning his B.S. in civil engineering at the Air Force Academy, Rod later received an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. In 1980, he was selected for the prestigious Air Staff Training Program (ASTRA) at the Pentagon, and later attended the Army Command and General Staff College in Leavenworth, KS and the Air War College at Maxwell AFB, AL.

But his professional passion was flying. After pilot training, he was assigned to the 416th Bombardment Wing in Griffiss AFB, NY commanding B-52G aircraft. He later commanded FB-111As, serving as a flight instructor, flight commander, and operations officer for the 509th Bombardment Wing during two tours at Pease AFB, NH. His love of flying was complete, and he recounted to family members how a new plane, once mastered, came to feel as if it was an extension of his body. And, to his last days, he would recall, "Do you know they used to PAY me to fly airplanes?"

The Air Force also tapped Rod for many non-flying leadership positions, including senior controller at the headquarters of the U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt AFB in Omaha; wing and support group commander at Luke AFB, AZ; wing commander at Lajes Field AFB in the Azores, Portugal; and 13th Air Force vice commander at Anderson AFB, Guam.

In retirement, in addition to serving his church and community, Rod allowed his 50-yearlong affair with golf to get the better of him as he and Alice traveled courses in California, Mexico, and Hawaii, entering (and sometimes winning) tournaments at their club in Fresno. His dedication to the craft paid off with a hole-in-one at San Joaquin Country Club. He also allowed new passions such as pickleball and California wineries to flourish. He and Alice continued their globetrotting adventures traveling to China, Russia, taking a Danube riverboat cruise spanning the Czech Republic to Hungary, and watching the great migration in Tanzania. Every October, he and Alice hosted a beachfront house on the central California coast, which was a family favorite retreat filled with morning walks on the beach, limo rides to the nearby wineries, and time spent around the table with amazing meals, games, and laughter. The absence in the hearts of Rod's wife, children, and grandchildren will never fully heal, but they will cherish these fond memories with him for all their days.

Rod is survived by his wife, Alicia "Alice" (nee Garcia); two children, son Eyrick Gibson and wife Alina and her son Garrison, daughter Cheryl Shivaprasad and husband Arun; grandchildren, Cameron (wife Paige) and Everett; two siblings, Cathy Gibson-Beltz, and John Gibson (wife Karen); as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by two younger siblings, Teri (d. 2013) and Rick (d. 2014).

Services will be held Thursday, February 15 at 2:00 p.m. at the Cross City Christian Church, 2777 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, CA. Immediately following the service, the family will be receiving at Fort Washington Country Club. Per Rod's desire, in lieu flowers, please consider making a donation to CASAFresnoMadera.org in his name.