James Gibson

James "Jim" Gibson, 80, of Port Charlotte went to be with the Lord September 18, 2008 and was surrounded by his loving family at home. He was the son of Stuart and Jennie Gibson, born August 6, 1928 in Greenwood, Delaware. Jim graduated from Greenwood High School in Greenwood, Delaware. He married Bettye Guerand on June 30, 1950 in Miami, Florida and graduated from University of Miami in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Jim served in the US Army Air Corp and was stationed in Oahu, Hawaii. He retired from IBM after 36 years in 1988 and then moved to Port Charlotte in July of 1989. Jim was a staunch Southern Baptist and served in many positions including teaching, deacon, treasurer, Sunday school teacher and director in New York, New Jersey and Florida. He attended Peace River Baptist Church and was a member of IBM's Quarter Century Club where he was president from 1982-83. Jim will be greatly missed by his wife of 58 years, Bettye; daughter, Donna (Ken) Fry of Hutchinson, KS; sons, Jimmy Gibson of Port Charlotte and Ralph (Shirley) Gibson of Goose Creek, SC; niece, Bobette (Brad) Carter of Chincoteaque, VA; great-niece, Jennifer Carter of Milford, DE; former daughter-in-law, Jennifer Gibson and his pride and joy granddaughter, Beth; 4 step-grandchildren and 3 step-great-grandchildren. A celebration of Jim's life will be 11:00 am, Saturday, September 27, 2008 at Peace River Baptist Church, 478 Berry Street, Punta Gorda with Pastor James Stultz officiating. Memorial donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice and Palliative Care, 1144 Veronica Street, Port Charlotte, FL 33952, Northwood Church "Out of the Ashes" Fund, 8717 Rivers Avenue, Charleston, SC 29406 or Peace River Baptist Church, 478 Berry Street, Punta Gorda, FL 33950. To express condolences to the family, please sign the online guest book.