Thomas Edward Gibbens

Thomas Gibbens, a pioneer in broadcasting in the South, who served as President and General Manager of WAFB-TV from it's inception in 1953 until his retirement in 1987, passed away Sunday, June 24, 2012 at his home in Baton Rouge. He was 95. Gibbens entered broadcasting in 1941, and became one of the founders of WAFB-Radio, which went on the air in 1948. Five years later, Gibbens was chosen to run WAFB-TV. It was the first television station in Baton Rouge. He had the vision that television was the way of the future. Thomas Edward Gibbens was born on February 9th, 1917 at Santa Maria, a plantation a few miles south of Baton Rouge, to W.B. and Marie Moore Gibbens. He attended Catholic High School in Baton Rouge and St. Joseph's Normal in New Jersey, and graduated from business college in New Orleans. Throughout his long career, Gibbens was a member of the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters, the Advisory Board of CBS Television Network Affiliates, and the National Association of Broadcasters. He was named "Louisiana Broadcaster of the Year" in 1967 by the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters. Gibbens was honored by San Francisco State College in 1972 with the Broadcaster Preceptor Award "in recognition of single accomplishments and leadership and adherence to the highest standards in broadcasting." In addition to broadcasting, Gibbens served as a board member for The Guaranty Corporation, The Florida Street Corporation, The Lamar Corporation, Continental Service Life Insurance Company, the Baton Rouge Bank and Our Lady of the Lake Hospital. He was active in numerous organizations in the Baton Rouge community, including the Baton Rouge Better Business Board, the Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce, and the Advertising Club of Baton Rouge. He was selected for the "Pete Golsby Award," the highest honor given by the Advertising Club of Baton Rouge. He was named an Honorary Alum of LSU for outstanding service to the university. He was a member of the Baton Rouge Country Club and City Club, an avid sportsman, and a dedicated supporter of LSU Athletics. Gibbens was a member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, a member of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus and a member of Rotary Club of Baton Rouge. Gibbens was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 66 years, Marie Alice Plassan Gibbens; parents, William B. and Marie Moore Gibbens; brothers and their spouses, William B. Jr. and May Gibbens, Noyes and Louise Gibbens, and Henry Howell and Lillian Gibbens; sister, Sister Mary Gibbens; sistersin- law, Jerry, Elizabeth, Peggy, and Mary; brother-in-law, Robert Bentel. He is survived by three daughters, Ann Freeman and her spouse Bill of Houston, Texas, Carol Moffett and her spouse Tom of West Lafayette, Indiana, and Linda Spiller and her spouse Jack of Baton Rouge. He is also survived by four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, Thomas Moffett of New York, Katie Kollar and spouse Jeff and children J.D. and Claire of Houston, David Spiller and spouse Hillary and son Julien of Chattanooga, and Brent Spiller and spouse Allison and daughter Mary Michael of Richmond. He is also survived by his brothers, Julian Gibbens, James Gibbens, Elmore Gibbens, and Robert Gibbens; sister, Marie Bentel; numerous loved nieces and nephews; and many good friends. In his last years he had a very special friend, Louise "Wesie" Prosser. He was very thankful for his wonderful caregivers Sherry Adams and Gayle Byrd. The family also thanks them as well as his Hospice nurse Pierre Baker for all of their loving and expert care. Visitation at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 445 Marquette Ave., on Wednesday, June 27, from 1:00 p.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 2:30 p.m. Interment at Greenoaks Memorial Park. Services under the direction of Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St. Baton Rouge, LA. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice.