Frank Gibson

I found this picture of my father, Pfc James Podlas and Frank Gibson 101st Airborne Division Vietnam 1968. I didn't know Frank, but on the back of this picture my father wrote "my best friend". My father passed in 2016. I thought I would share this picture.

I can not tell you the shock and pain I felt when my wife informed me that Francis had died. For the next hour I could not talk,just cry. We started Bellaire High School together in 1954 and have been best friends ever since(63 years). He would stay at my house all night when we had late sporting events, it was tough thumbing to Glencoe late at night ,my parents always welcomed him with open arms. Every time he came back from the Army or California for whatever, we would spend 2 days together. I went out to his house a couple of times to see his sons play football, We also went to the Rain Bowl at Ohio State together. My stories could go on and on and they did when we had dinner at the West Texas Roadhouse in St Clairsville. I was heart broken that I could not make the funeral but I just had surgery on Thursday Feb 2 and could not travel.
My wife,Charlotte and I will miss him and his visit to St Clairsville. We loved him very much. God Bless Francis and God Bless Barbara , his sons Boomer,Donald,and Craig and their entire families. With Love and Prayers, Gary Hill

To a legend on and off the playing field....

Barbara and family members;
Pauline and I were deeply saddened when we learned through Facebook that Frank had passed away quite suddenly. Frank and I were friends during our years at West Point as we always seemed to have lockers near each other in the Corps Squad locker room. Our friendship matured and extended to Pauline and Barbara when we arrived at Ft. Leavenworth in 1970. For the next few years we worked together, played golf on most Saturdays and enjoyed many dinners, happy hours and other social events together. Sadly, over the years we had too few chances to be together. God Bless you, Frank. God bless the Gibson family.

Jim O'Connell
USMA '60

I am shocked and am having trouble processing the news that Frank is no longer with us. Whenever I attended any West Point event in CA Frank was there. I have known Frank since our years as cadets at West Point, that was 60-61. I was in awe of him as a plebe, especially when I remember he took the time to talk to me. We met again in Orange County through the West Point Society. Frank was always active and supportive in every way. I remember how he cared for people, especially friends like Red Zaldo. We even tried to do a real estate deal or two together. He was fun loving, always friendly, we played golf a time or two at Army/Navy outings. Frank was bigger than life. Helen and I always enjoyed talking with Frank and his wonderful wife, Barb, usually at Founders Day Dinners.
We regret being out of town and will not be present at his service but we will be there in spirit and our prayers are with the family. Frank was great. We will miss him.

I attended Men's Night recently at Trinity as a guest. I was wearing a USC coat and he asked me about that. We talked and he shared things that are mentioned in this message. I was really impressed. Sorry for your loss as he will be missed. While I did not attend USC,they are my adopted school and have had season seats for decades.