Harold Eugene Gibbons

Harold Eugene Gibbons, (Johnny Boy as he was affectionately nicknamed), a native of Orange, New Jersey departed this life on November 21, 2012 in Cary, North Carolina. He was born on September 18, 1931 in Bibb County, Macon Georgia, an only child of the late Margaret Dixon Byrd and John Gibbons.

Harold moved with his family to New Jersey at the age of 5 years old where he attended Oakwood Avenue Elementary School, Central Junior High and graduated in 1949 from Orange High School. He joined the U.S. Air Force in September 1950 and began his service at Lackland Airforce Base in Texas. His tour of duty included Langley Air Force Base in Langley Field, Virginia; Tyndall Air Force base in Florida; and Sculthorp Air Force Base in England. In August 1954, Harold received an honorable discharge as a Staff Sergeant from the United States Air Force.

He found employment with the Dumont Laboratory in Clifton, New Jersey and later worked for the East Orange Post Office where he served as a mail carrier. In 1970, he was hired as a security officer at Western Electric Corporation in Newark. Within a few years he was promoted to Security Supervisor, which led to his securing the position of Assistant Director of Security in 1976, at United Hospitals Medical Center in Newark, where he eventually became the Director of Security Support Services and remained until his retirement in 1997.

In 1960, having accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior, Harold joined and was baptized at the Peaceful Zion Baptist Church in East Orange, N.J. After several other church affiliations, in 1980 he was led to United Missionary Baptist Church in East Orange where he served faithfully for over 20 years. During his membership at United, Harold was an active and faithful member. He chaired the Trustee Board for several years and in 1990 became an ordained Deacon. He was appointed Chairman of the Deacon Board in 1999 where he served until he relocated to Cary, North Carolina in September, 2002.

In February 2003, Harold was led to join the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Cary. He served on the Deacon Board and was appointed to oversee the Missionary Board. He faithfully attended Tuesday night Prayer Meeting which he looked forward to. Harold loved Mt. Zion and the many new acquaintances he and his wife met there. He loved Pastor Harris and would constantly say "that's a fine young man". In 2008, due to health reasons, Harold became a Deacon Emeritus.

Harold met Barbara Barnhardt Chatman in 1978. They were married on February14, 1982 at United Missionary Baptist Church, East Orange, N.J. where they were both members.

John, Pooh and Pop as he was identified by his friends and loved ones, was a loving, compassionate person. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He adored his wife and never left her side. Throughout their marriage he flourished her with gentle words of comfort, flowers and cards.

Together over the years, they always opened their home to family and friends where they shared and celebrated many occasions and holidays. Harold was a tall, gentle and modest man who loved the Lord and expressed his humility with kind words and a warm smile. He had a loving heart, cared about the welfare of his country and never hesitated to help his fellow man.

He leaves with cherished memories, his wife Barbara, Cary, NC. Sons, Harold Gibbons Jr.; Neptune, NJ, Troy Chatman, Trenton, NJ, (Todd Chatman preceded him in death), one Daughter, Nicole Pride, Whitsett, NC, Eight Grandchildren, Isaiah Gibbons, Cary, NC, Jirmad Gordon, Newark, NJ. Pavielle Gordon, Newark, NJ, Troi Everette, Orange, NJ, Mecca Grant, Newark, NJ, Kareemah Grant Pringle, Newark, NJ, Turner and Todd Pride, Whitsett, NC, Four Great Grandchildren; Sanaa, Rodney, Bryce and Milan. A loving Goddaughter, Lauren White, East Orange, NJ, and a faithful Godson, Joseph Farrow, Cary, NC, along with other family members, friends and loved ones.