Wallace Eugene Gibson

On Sunday, January 22, 2017 at 12:11 am, Wallace Eugene Gibson, left his earthly existence as his beloved wife, Elizabeth Amy Stevens Gibson, reached her loving hand through the veil and welcomed him into her arms for eternity. His life has not been the same since she passed away on February 16, 2016, (11 months and 12 days ago) still holding her hand, just three months after celebrating their 75th wedding anniversary.

Wally was born to Birdie Ann Wilson and Clifford Gustavis Gibson on March 30, 1921, at his grandmother Wilson’s home in Chama, New Mexico. As the oldest of 10 children, he learned at a very early age the value of hard work as he gave his father a hand in many of the responsibilities around their farm and other family businesses during the Great Depression. He worked a wide range of early jobs including ranch hand, potato chip maker, and lifeguard. He soon became a real handyman, and was able to fix anything the rest of his life. But the business that really began to define his career and change his life, was learning to install electricity in homes throughout the vicinity of Durango, Colorado. One day, while working as a lineman suspended on a power pole, he spotted a beautiful young girl in the yard next door trying to fix her grandmother’s gas powered washing machine. He thought to himself, “Not only is she beautiful, she is smart!” He knew she was the right girl when he held her hand for the first time and felt electricity between them. It wasn’t long before he took her hand in marriage, and they were sealed for all time and all eternity in the Mesa, Arizona LDS Temple, on November 12, 1940.

It was difficult to find work in Durango when the war started, so Wally’s father, mother, and young siblings moved to Salt Lake City to work for the Remington Arms Plant. Wally and Beth soon followed them with ten day old Aldine. Wally continued to work as an electrician and saved enough money after about a year to buy their first home, on Sunnyside Avenue by East High School. Soon afterwards, a second daughter, Arlea, was born. When Arlea was just two weeks old, dad had to leave his beloved wife and daughters to begin his service in the U.S. Navy. They said many times they don’t know how they would have survived those early years of their marriage without the help of his parents. He was stationed at Port Chicago near Vallejo, California and served as a First Class Electrician. His years in the Navy were difficult, but he never regretted the decision. It enabled him to get a college education through the GI Bill. His degree empowered him the rest of his life to provide well for his family. He is a very proud World War II Veteran and our hero.

Wally and Beth had two more daughters while living in Salt Lake City, Renee and Jayna. In 1951, with a BS degree in Engineering from the University of Utah in his hand, Wally accepted a job in Portland, Oregon, where he worked for Bonneville Power Administration. His job took him throughout the state of Oregon planning and designing power plants in anticipation of the state’s future growth. He was a Stake Mission President while they were in Oregon, a calling he dearly loved and proudly served.

A good opportunity became available in the mid 1950’s to move to Los Angeles, where he worked for Northrup, Bendix, then Litton Industries. It was here that he worked on the team that designed the computer guidance system that put man on the Moon. He was very proud of this accomplishment in his career. He left Litton to become one of the first employees of Evans and Sutherland Computers, pioneers in 3D computer graphics and imaging. Wally ended his career in the computer industry in the early 1970’s, and began working in the banking industry. Through his own innovation, he started the first large scale equipment leasing program and wrote a textbook on how to succeed in the leasing business, which was widely used as a college textbook and an industry related resource. He was a genius, an innovator, a forward thinker and problem solver. He always had a positive attitude about life, no matter the situation.

While in California, a fifth daughter was born, Rosanne, and he could now count his daughters on one hand. Last, but certainly not least, a big surprise came in September of 1959, when baby number six was born, Matthew Charles Gibson. You can imagine the utter surprise, delight, and joy that came into their home welcoming a baby brother. He loved his daughters, but he was immensely proud of his son, and their bond has always been strong. Matt was able to take Wally on a trip of a lifetime in May 2016 on the Utah Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., along with about 60 other World War II Veterans and their escorts. He said his hand was sore for months afterwards, as everywhere they went people applauded them and asked to shake their hand in gratitude for their service. These men and women truly are the greatest generation.

If you asked Wally what he loved the most, it was his wife, Beth, first, then his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He lived for his family. He was the best father anyone could wish for. He would come in the door from work and the children would beg him to walk across the room on his hands. Change would fall out of his pockets and everyone would squeal as they scrambled to grab a penny, dime or nickel. It wasn’t until years later that they learned that he would often stop to get change on his way home to make sure there was something for everyone. He is known for his “magic penny trick,” making a penny disappear from his hands right before your eyes. He gave “Hot Fives” and “High Fives,” pony rides on his back, and would swing the little ones in a swing as they sat on his hands, fingers laced together, and swung back and forth between his legs. He attended as many events for his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews as he possibly could, including weddings, mission farewells, games, concerts, plays, etc.

Wally and Beth were always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need, no matter the reason. Many reading this today, will be able to recall the help they received through their generosity, whether the person needed a place to live, counsel and advice, food from their vast food storage “store,” or a priesthood blessing, no one was ever turned away. They always provided a hand up, not just a hand out.

In his many callings as a lifelong, faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he had the opportunity countless times to use his priesthood to give blessings by the “laying on of hands.”

“For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in. Naked and you clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.” (Matthew 25:35-36).

He was a jokester, a fisherman, a storyteller, an author, a biblical scholar, and an inspirational speaker. He will be remembered as Sweetheart, Dad, Wally, Grandpa, Uncle Wally, Elder Gibson, Bishop Gibson, President Gibson, Patriarch Gibson, friend. He was beloved by his family, his ward, his co-workers, his neighbors, and even total strangers. He was passionate about the value of getting an education and encouraged everyone to always aim for a college degree. He was always a missionary (serving two full time missions - Nova Scotia, and Denver Temple Mission). For the past 50+ years, they lived in Holladay and South Jordan, and leave behind many dear friends and neighbors.

Wally is preceded in death by his sweetheart, Elizabeth Amy Stevens Gibson; his parents, Birdie Ann and Clifford Gibson; sisters, Norma Barton, La Vina (Joyce) Gunnell, Barbara Tracy; brothers, Clifford, Russell, and Marvin Gibson; daughter, Renee Gibson; great granddaughter, Cassie Ann Gruwell; great grandson, Spencer Wallace Newton and son-in-law, Larry Allen. He is survived by his brothers, Ron and David Gibson and sister, Edith Bell; children, Aldine Allen, Arlea Gibson (Nels Bredahl), Jayna Cleamons (Vincient), Rosanne Markham (Steve), Matt Gibson (Gwen), 35 grandchildren, 65 great grandchildren, and 14 great great grandchildren, many loving nieces and nephews and extended family. He loved each one of you very much.

The family wishes to extend our heartfelt love and appreciation to Jeff and Shauna Allen Gruwell (his granddaughter and her husband), who have so lovingly cared for him and our mother the last three and a half years in their home. Thank you for all the extra love and gentle care you have provided. Your love has provided them the highest quality of life possible in their golden years.

We would also like to thank Aldine Allen, (oldest daughter) for moving to Utah last year to help Shauna with their care, and April Black, (granddaughter) for buying a home close to them she could be there for them as needed, as well as have them be an integral part of her family’s life. Thank you also to the doctors and nurses who have provided such good care of dad these last few years, and especially the wonderful, kind, caregivers at the Lodge Hospice Center for their love and attendance the last two weeks of his life. We love you.

As we say goodbye to our beloved father and grandfather, we know that he is where he needs to be, holding hands with our beautiful mother, who has been patiently waiting for him for almost a year. She let us have Christmas with him, but she probably said, “Valentine’s Day is mine.“ We will miss you, dad.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 28th at the River Ridge 8th Ward, 1409 West Shields Lane (9800 South) South Jordan, Utah. A viewing will be held Friday night, January 27th at the ward from 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m., and one hour before the service.