David Allen Gibson

A lifelong area resident, business owner, and Vietnam veteran, Dave was surrounded by loving caregivers and his longtime friend, Fran Ellington.

Dave attended Bishop Hogan High School in Kansas City, Missouri, and attended Finlay Engineering College, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. After graduation, he joined his father in running the successful family business, Automatic Products, in Martin City, until his retirement in the 1990’s. Automatic Products provided manufactured and custom designed steel parts to well-known companies nationwide. Dave always liked telling his children and grandchildren about his business career, and especially enjoyed describing the company’s role in designing and manufacturing the innovative cutting mechanism for the original Rival electric can opener.

Dave loved his vacations with family in Florida, at Lake of the Ozarks, and in Branson/Table Rock Lake. You could often find him playing cards with his kids and grandkids or playing a mean game of monopoly. His hobbies included reading, gardening, looking for sand dollars while snorkeling in the ocean, and searching for arrowheads and coins throughout Missouri.

He enjoyed spending much of his time outside on yardwork, fixing his home, or just sitting in his front porch chair watching his dog Lambchop roam the yard. Lambchop and his other dog, Muff, probably greeted him in heaven with many tongue lickings.

Dave looked forward to spending time with his children and grandchildren when they could come to town. When his family couldn’t visit, he was surrounded by loving and caring neighbors who always lent a helping hand and treated him as part of their families. He enjoyed handing out candy to the neighborhood kids, and they would refer to him as “Uncle Dave.”

After retirement he was very active in his church, St. Thomas More in Kansas City, Missouri, and was affiliated with the Call-to-Action organization. Overall, Dave was very involved in his community until he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s about ten years ago.

Dave was preceded in death by his father, David D. Gibson and mother, Evelyn M. Gibson. He is survived by his three children: Janette and her husband Dave Burlington of Houston, TX; Marty and his wife Katie Gibson of Anchorage, AK; and Paul Gibson of Prescott, AZ. Dave has four grandchildren: Peyton Burlington, Brooke Vencill, Lance Gibson, Christian Gibson, and extended family on the east coast.

Throughout his life, Dave was known by family, friends, and business associates at being dependable, self-disciplined, and trustworthy. These qualities made up the individual we knew and loved. He will be missed by all of us, and we will continue to be inspired by his lifelong accomplishments.

A visitation for David will be held Tuesday, October 18, 2022 from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM at McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO 64145, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 6:30 PM.

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