James Lanier Lanier Gibson

Services for James Lanier Gibson, 88, of Groveton, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 15, 2015 in the Gipson Funeral Home Chapel, with Bro. Neil Kemper and Bro. Rodney Langley officiating. Interment will follow in the Bennett Cemetery in Apple Springs with military honors by the United States Army.

Mr. Gibson was born October 2, 1926 in Helmic, Texas, the son of the late Willie E. “Buck” Gibson and Willie A. “Bill” (James) Gibson. He passed from this life on Monday, January 12, 2015 at the age of 88 years, 3 months and 10 days.

His family moved in 1936 to Rt. 1, Groveton (later known as Centerville School Community), where he resided until his death. He attended Helmic-Crib Creek School until the school consolidated with other community schools to become Centerville. He graduated from Centerville High School in 1944 and joined the United States Army to serve in World War II with the Task Unit 35. He attended Texas A & M Army Specialized Training and was transferred to Camp Roberts, and Fort Ord, California. Later he was transferred to the Pacific. While on ship, he headed toward the Invasion of Japan, the Japanese surrendered. He continued to serve in the Army stationed in the Philippines to help train the Filipino Army. He was critically injured in a weapon’s carrier wreck and remained in an Army hospital until his release in 1945. He achieved the official rank of PFC but had received a field promotion of Sergeant before his injury. He achieved the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. He was a rifle sharpshooter and received an honorable discharge.

Mr. Gibson attended Sam Houston State Teachers’ College and earned his Bachelor in Science in Agriculture and Master of Education. He taught at Centerville ISD for 34 years serving as a teacher, basketball coach, principal and superintendent. He served as Director of First Bank Groveton from 1974-2008. He was a lifetime member of DAV, VFW and NRA. He continued his agriculture training as a lifelong farmer and rancher. He was an outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing and made his own hoop nets. He was definitely an animal lover. Later in life, he always had a cat in his lap. He enjoyed cooking, grocery shopping, eating, traveling, and estate auctions. Mr. Gibson was a member and Deacon of Groveton Church of Christ.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Mary Lyndel Gibson of Groveton; daughters, Deborah Due and husband James W. of Groveton, Renita Gibson of Groveton, and Marcia Best and husband Jon of Henderson; granddaughter, Amanda (Due) Rush and fiancé Leon Mire of Louisiana; sister, Geneva Craycraft of Mt. Enterprise; nieces and nephews, Dr. Ken Craycraft and wife Dr. Sally; Deidra Rivers and husband Barry, and Benita Tabch and husband Moni; and a number of great nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Gibson was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Ben Craycraft on December 26, 2014.

Pallbearers will be James Due, Jon Best, Leon Mire, Ken Craycraft, Mark Brown and Craig Davis.

Memorial contributions in Mr. Gibson’s memory may be made to Centerville Ex-Student Association, 10327 North SH 94, Groveton, TX 75845.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home.