Thomas Jefferson Gibson

Thomas Jefferson Gibson, 87, born October 14, 1936, in Kansas City, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at Mercy Rehab and Care Center in Swansea, Illinois. He was the son of Henry Thomas and Martha (Jones) Gibson, but raised by his paternal grandparents, Thomas Jefferson and Betty (Cruise) Gibson.

T.J. graduated in 1954 from Wyandotte High School in Kansas City with the love of his life, Dora Sue Twitchel, who survives. They married that fall and enjoyed 69 years of marriage. He attended Donnelly junior college and Rockhurst College, studying accounting, and served in the United States Navy in Hutchinson, Kansas as an air traffic control tower operator.

Tom pursued a career in printing management with Intercollegiate Press, World Color Press, and Quebecor, moving around the US and Canada. In 1999, he moved to Belleville and founded Gibson Executive Search.

Tom loved hunting, fishing, popcorn, German chocolate cake, mom’s meatloaf, Heath blizzards, John Wayne, and dogs, but his passion was serving the Lord and sharing the word of God even from his bed in a nursing home. He served as a member, part time minister, and elder in the church of Christ, most recently in Kirkwood, Missouri. Also he could sing an amazing duet with mom, whistle with great skill, and play a mean harmonica.

Preceding him in death are his parents, grandparents, brother, Frank Gibson, sister, Betty Ann Bridges, son-in-law Jim Beasley, and grandson Daniel Snyder.

In addition to his wife, mourning his passing are his sisters, Ruth (Rick) Coon and Merry Gerdes of Sun City West, Arizona; daughters, Becky (Mark) Juelfs and Kelly(Damon) Snyder of Millstadt; daughter-in-law, Becky Fitch of New Smyrna Beach, Florida; and grandchildren, Kaitlyn Boucher, Grant (Rylee) Beasley, Nicholas and Amelia Snyder, Benjamin and Bryan Gibson, and Trevor and Craig Juelfs. In addition, he is survived by his son Barry (Andrea) Gibson.

Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, January 16th, 2024 at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, Illinois.

Funeral will be at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, January 17th, 2024 at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, Illinois. There is an additional visitation one hour prior to funeral.

Memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, Got Your Six Support Dogs of Maryville, or Heartland Hospice are appreciated.