Henry Lee Gibson

Lieutenant Colonel Henry “Hank” L. Gibson, US Army, retired, son of the late Charles Edward Gibson and Susie Belle Dickerson Gibson, was born in Baltimore, MD, August 29, 1930 and died December 13, 2014.

Upon finishing Carver Vocational Technical High School, Henry graduated from Hampton Institute (University), Hampton, VA, in 1954 earning a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Arts Education. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery and served for 25 years. LTC Gibson earned the National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Silver Star and Palm, Bronze Star Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal. He obtained Master’s degrees in both Guidance and Counseling and Education Administration from Hampton Institute (University).

Married to Caldoria Elizabeth Lewis, they eloped May 17, 1953 and began a military life that took them from Ft Bliss, TX, Fort Lewis, WA, Ft Monroe, VA and many places in between. The various moves included two tours to Germany as well as unaccompanied assignments to Vietnam and Korea. Henry also served as Professor of Military Science at Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA and at his alma mater, leaving an incredible legacy of mentorship for the many Army officers he commissioned. He was inducted into the Hampton University Military Alumni Association Hall of Fame.

After military retirement in 1978, Hank became Assistant Dean of Admissions at Hampton University followed by a career in insurance. He served in several community and civic organizations: the Military Order of the World Wars - serving at various commander levels, American Legion, VFW, Kiwanis International - serving as a local president for many years and at the District level. He was also active in the Gideons, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Hampton, VA, Joy Lutheran Church, Palm Bay, FL, Hampton University Alumni Association, and Hampton University Military Alumni Association. He served on Hampton City Schools Advisory Board as well as the Sarah Bonwell Hudgins Foundation, in Hampton, VA.

After Hurricane Isabel struck the Virginia east coast in 2003, Hank decided to leave Hampton, VA, his “Home by the Sea,” for sunny Florida. Hank and Cal moved to Palm Bay, FL to meet the “1000 friends they had yet to know.”

Since relocating to Palm Bay, his attentions were devoted to Joy Lutheran Church serving on the Church Council, President of the Men’s Group, adding a voice to the Choir, church treasurer and becoming a regular at the Friday morning grounds clean up crew.

Henry was affectionately known as “Gib” by his long-time friends and as “Papa G” by extended family. He was preceded in death by two brothers: Charles Edward Gibson, Jr. (Bud) and Albert Charles Gibson; three sisters: Rainer Gibson, June Gibson Anderson, and Earline Gibson Moir.

Papa G is survived by his wife of 61 years, Caldoria Elizabeth Lewis Gibson; sister Aurora Gibson Chambers of Baltimore, MD; 3 daughters: Sheila Gibson Little (Bobby) of Manassas, VA, Colleen Gibson Morehead of Woodbridge, VA, and Maureen Gibson Butler (Brian) of Tampa, FL; a son, Keith Edward Gibson (Martha) of Montpelier, VT; 10 grandchildren Leah Little Burrell (Eugene), Lauren Little Hofer (Ben), Lindsay Little, David Little, Christopher Little, Ellease Gibson White (Jovan), Chanelle Morehead , Kasey Gibson, Christopher Butler and Allison Butler; 5 great grandchildren Eugene III, Nyarai, Amari, Sentwali and Imani Burrell; 5 special extended family members, Haneefah Morehead, Suhirjahaan Morehead, Melanie Jackson, Janelle Jackson, and Justine Phillips (Brandon) with a host of nieces and nephews.

In accordance with his written wishes, in lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Henry L. Gibson may be sent to Christian Embassy, 2111 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 700, Arlington, VA 22201. Donations may also be made to Joy Lutheran Church, 3174 Jupiter Blvd, Palm Bay, FL 32909, in his memory. Visitation will be at Fountainhead Funeral Home Tuesday, December 16, 2014, 4-6 PM. Funeral services will be held at Joy Lutheran Church, December 17, 2014 at 2 PM. Burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery in the spring.