John Dell Gibson

John Dell Gibson, a beloved husband, father, granddad and brother, passed away at his home February 2, 2023 at the age of 83. John was born September 9, 1939 in Electra, Texas. He was the second of four children and the only son of John Everett Gibson and Edith Idell Gibson.

John grew up in Graham, TX and was known for his larger than life personality. In high school John moved to Abilene where he acted as the football manager, participated in the FFA and earned the nickname “Hoot”. Upon graduation he enlisted in the National Guard and was a reserve in the United States Army. His family loved discovering recently that he qualified as a sharpshooter. He moved to El Paso in 1959 to attend Texas Western College (now UT El Paso). His love for the outdoors took him all over Texas and eventually Alaska. However, in 1968 John made a permanent home in Houston, Texas and started work at Hughes Tool Company. He took pride as a machinist crafting helicopter transmissions where his attention to detail paid off. John was a member of the local United Steelworkers of America. He met the love of his life, Meg Dill, while working at Hughes. They married in August of 1969 and celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary last year. John always wrote love notes to Meg and called her his bride until the very end. He and Meg had a special tradition of exchanging candy bars for their birthdays. The volatility of the oil industry pushed John to seek a more stable work environment. United Steelworkers of America honored John by offering a scholarship to attend Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Services in 1990. John found his calling as a funeral director and counseled thousands of families through one of life’s toughest experiences. He retired in 2004 after twelve years of service.

John attended Main St. Church of Christ, now New Beginnings Church, for 52 years. He served as an elder, led numerous bible studies, and participated in too many prayer vigils to count. John’s faith and zeal for sharing the significance of Jesus Christ was always his highest priority. On Sundays he was bowing his head, raising his hand in worship at the end of a pew.

John was a loving grandfather to six grandkids. He was the consummate encourager and story teller for them. His imagination was vast and his stories long. The stories of his youth were thought to be tall tales until his daughters found a photo of John with his pet lion.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Margaret Gibson of South Houston, son John Gibson and wife Debra of Lubbock, Texas, daughter, Laura Gibson Kelly and husband Doug of Katy, Texas and daughter Angie Gibson-Pittman and husband Greer of Dallas, Texas; grandchildren Allison Anton (formerly Kelly) and husband Derek, Daniel Kelly and wife Kayla, Jonathan Gibson, Benjamin Gibson, Crawford Pittman and Adelle Pittman; great-grandchild Wayne Anton; and sisters Jessie Luce, Sammie McMullan and Susie Moomey.

A memorial service to honor John is scheduled for Saturday, February 18, 2023 at Forest Park East Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends a donation to New Beginnings Church or Namikango Mission.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ForestParkEast-FHC.com for the Gibson family.