Larry "Dean" Gibson

1947 - 2025

Larry "Dean" Gibson
Born: June 3, 1947
Died: June 14, 2025
Larry "Dean" Gibson of Somonauk, IL was born on Tuesday, June 3, 1947 to Bryne and Dot (Dorothy Louise Layne) Gibson in Martin, KY and went home to the Lord on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at the age of 78. Larry "Dean" and Christi (Gletty) Gibson joined their lives in the winter of 1984. They were exceedingly blessed to have two sons that brought them great joy and love, Larry "David" Gibson and Cameron Dean Gibson. They were proud grandparents to Kaitlyn Rose, Madeline Grace, and Ian David.
Weekends usually found Dean, as his family has always referred to him, and Christi on the Harley riding with friends, or at the movies, or working in the yard. They enjoyed spending all of their free time together with their beloved dog, Jag who passed October 2021, and now Gus Gus.
After graduating from Marion Harding High School in Marion, OH, Dean proudly served as a Sergeant in the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1968 where he received Expert Rifleman, and two Bronze Service Stars. Upon returning home, Dean became an Undercover Investigator for the Savannah Police Department. Dean received numerous commendation letters from the Mayor of Savannah, GA for his exemplary police service.
One of the greatest gifts life gives came to him in 1970 in Savannah when his son Larry David was born. Dean went on to become an Investigator at the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification Office of the Office of Attorney General. Dean worked in Law enforcement for over six years. He moved to work in Tennessee for several years before moving to Noblesville, IN, a suburb of Indianapolis, to be near his only sister, Paulette (Gibson) Boncutter. After moving to Indiana in 1983 he met his wife, Christi, and they were together ever since. In 1987, Dean received another of life's greatest gifts, his second son Cameron Dean was born.
Dean felt his highest achievement in life was raising his two sons from boys to men. He took great pride and joy in all of their triumphs. No father has ever been prouder of his sons than Dean was of David and Cameron.
For many years, Dean was an IHSA Licensed Baseball & Softball Umpire and was highly praised for his booming voice and his strength of character that encouraged ethical sportsmanship. In 1992, David was in his last year at Ball State University when Dean, Christi, and four year old Cameron moved to Somonauk, IL. Dean worked as a General Manager of a large Auto Group in Sandwich, IL. He then became the owner of Dog N'Suds drive-in restaurant in Oswego, IL. When Cameron was in junior high, Dean became Somonauk School District #432's Athletic Director and Transportation Director. Many in the community will remember his powerful voice announcing Somonauk athletic events. His students will remember 'Mr. G' as straightforward and direct, but most importantly they will remember his sincerity and kindness.
Dean was a good man in the best sense of the word, who organized fund-raisers for families in need. He would stand with a student on Senior Night when the parents could not be there and he would do whatever he could to help others.
In 2006, when Cameron went on to Northwestern University and David lead the SWAT team in a suburb of Dallas, Dean became a Lieutenant at the U.S. Government Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory's Security Force and enjoyed working evenings in the expansive prairieland surrounded by wildlife. He retired in May 2015 and joined the Punishers Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club. He was the Master Sergeant of Arms of the Punishers North LEMC where he appreciated the Brotherhood.
Vietnam Veteran, 1966-1968, SGT E5 Larry Dean Gibson's death increases the Vietnam Veteran casualty list by one. He died from exposure to Agent Orange and the many poisonous defoliants deployed by the military to destroy the Vietnamese jungle. Over three hundred thousand Vietnam War veterans have died from Agent Orange exposure which is five times as many as the 58,220 U.S. military fatal casualties who died in combat.
Dean is survived by his wife, sons, his daughter-in-law, grandchildren, his sister, his father-in-law, his aunt, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. As well as his beloved dog, Gus.
A Funeral Service with Military Honors will be held at 5:00 PM on Monday, June 23, 2025 at the Nelson Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1275 S. Countyline Rd., Sandwich, IL. Interment will be private.
Friends may visit from 2:00 PM until the Hour of Service on Monday, June 23, 2025 at the Nelson Funeral Homes & Crematory in Sandwich, IL.
In lieu of flowers memorials in Larry Dean Gibson's name may be directed to Lewy Body Dementia Association.
Arrangements by Nelson Funeral Homes & Crematory, www.NelsonFuneralHomes.com or 815-786-6461.