Urel Gibson Jr.

Urel Gibson, Jr. was born to Urel Gibson, Sr. and Veola Sandefur-Gibson September 16, 1938, in the Millwood Community of Little River County, Arkansas. His parents, grandparents, four sisters, (Charline Genchan, Cora Cressel, DeLois Gibson Ed.D, and Leatha Winfrey), two brothers (Curtis Gibson and Marvin Jones), and one son, Ron Gibson preceded him in death.

Urel, “Junior,” or “Gib,” as he was known by family, friends, and others, was reared in a Christian environment and joined the Zelie C.M.E. Church as a child. When the church merged with the Freeman Chapel C.M.E. Church, Urel’s family became pillars of the church.

Having grown up on his father’s 80-acre farm, Urel was introduced to farm life early. He tended cattle, hauled pulp wood, raised and picked cotton, helped his father make pure cane syrup, grew all kinds of vegetables, and engaged in any other farming activities farm life required. Hunting and fishing were common activities. As a boy, he enjoyed watching one of his maternal uncles build white clay chimneys for the families in the neighborhood. His maternal great-grandfather, a former slave, had passed on many skills to his offspring.

Urel completed his elementary and secondary education in the Little River County Training School in Ashdown, AR, graduating in 1957. Urel, a visual learner, surprised the head mechanic of the local car dealership where he worked after school, when he accepted the mechanic’s challenge to put a car engine back together correctly after he had dismantled it. To the amazement of the mechanic, Urel was successful. Shortly after graduating from high school, Urel moved to Kansas City, KS to join his oldest sister. After working there a few years, he relocated to Arkansas and joined the military, where he served in the U.S. Army at Headquarters & Headquarters Detachment of the 5th Ordinance Battalion of the U.S. Army. Urel received the following honors: acknowledgment as an expert rifleman with the Mi-rifle and carbine and M-14. Expert Badge w/Carbine Bar, TC 321, Gold Conduct Medal for Exemplary Behavior, Efficiency and Fidelity, and received a letter of Appreciation for Exceptional Service as Unit Mail Clerk. Urel received an honorable discharge in 1964, with the rank of Specialist E-4.

While Urel was serving in the military, he met the love of his life, Q. Elizabeth Gilmore, and they were united in holy matrimony on June 27, 1964, and to this union, one son was born, whom they named Lyle Eric. At the end of his military tour of duty, the young couple decided to make Kansas City, Kansas, their home. Shortlly after relocating to Kansas City, Urel was employed by the Kansas City Railway Terminal. He later sought employment with the USD 500 School District, where he worked as a laborer, and ultimately as a superv Urel united with Mason Memorial M.E. Church in 1960, under the leadership of the Reverend R.C. Moore. Later the church became a part of the United Methodist organization and Urel served under the leadership of several pastors, to name a few, the late Rev. Rhymes Moncure, the late Rev.Nelson “Fuzzy” Thompson, and Rev. Ronald King. As a member of Mason Memorial, Urel served in several capacities: Trustee, usher, member of the United Methodist Men, Pastor Parish Committee, and the Kitchen Committee. He also trimmed shrubbery, installed restroom fixtures, waxed and buffed floors, and performed any other duties under the umbrella of his expertise.

At home, Urel was the handy man, whether it was refinishing the basement in our first house, or engaging in minor electrical, plumbing, carpentry work or doing light mechanic work on our vehicles, until he could no longer tolerate the concrete floors. He only called in the professionals for hard jobs, those that required certification. However, Urel’s main hobby was cooking, especially desserts. He was known by relatives, friends and others for his delicious7-Up and cream cheese pound cakes and his zucchini and banana-nut bread. He enjoyed baking loaves of banana-nut bread and zucchini bread for the Mt. Carmel COGIC Mothers’ Board during the Christmas season. In summary, Urel could well be described as one who enjoyed lending service to others. After retirement, as he watched the disaster rescue crews gearing up to travel to places where people were suffering from the devastation of natural disasters, etc., he would always say, “That’s what I’d like to do,” but his physical condition at that time would prohibit his taking part in rescue efforts.

Urel leaves to mourn his passing the following: Q. Elizabeth Gibson, his wife of 58 years; one son, Lyle E. Gibson; one daughter, Lisa A. Gibson; four grandchildren, Camron J. Gibson, Cynae E. Gibson, Brandon Wilkerson (Raven), Jaylon Johnson; one great-grandson, Brandon T. Wilkerson, Jr., and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.