James F. Gibson

James Frederick Gibson, known to everyone as Fred, was born on August 31, 1948 in Bismarck, Arkansas. His family moved to California when he was five. He was the youngest of nine children (eight living siblings). He was closest to his brother Phil and sister Dianna, as they grew up together, with the other siblings being so much older. Fred graduated from Artesia High School in 1966 and started attending Cerritos Junior College. He needed to find work to support his family, but due to his draft status, no one would hire him. He joined the Air Force on July 11, 1967. He left his then-wife Glenda and young son Freddy behind when he was deployed to Bien Hoa, Vietnam. Fred was in the military police, guarding the aircraft at the base. He was released from active duty on April 9, 1971. Whenever the Moving Wall of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was in town, he always made time to pay his respects to those who served and paid the ultimate price. He served his country with distinction, receiving the Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service. After leaving the Air Force, he settled in Norwalk, California. He missed being a full-time dad but cherished the special summers he spent with Freddy…making deliveries and living off donuts for breakfast.

Fred met his wife Connie while playing co-ed softball. The Saunders brothers were also on the team and their family became Fred’s second family. We are still very close with Joe & Teri and Don & Glenda. Fred and Connie were married on January 17, 1981; just celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary before he passed.

Fred was so thankful to have his son Jeremy in his life. He admired how smart and talented he was. Even on the ball field Jeremy would always be one step ahead of the play. Fred loved coaching him…starting when Jeremy was just three and continuing through high school. He also coached Paul Godoy, his “son from another mother”, Kelly. He was so proud when Jeremy and Paul pitched a combined no-hitter. He got so much enjoyment from coaching and especially when he gained the trust of the “hard to reach” kids. He had a way of making them feel special and worthwhile. Fred loved all sports…played tennis; bowled in several bowling leagues, including the “G-Force” with Jeremy and Paul; and loved to golf ….even though it left him very frustrated. Fred was a die-hard Los Angeles Angels and Rams fan. He was very competitive with the Dodgers and Cowboy fans….you all know who you are!!

Fred also had a great group of friends who played Bunco. He might not have loved Bunco, but he loved you all very much.

One of his favorite things was the Annual Gibson Christmas gathering. He had all his California family at the house….sometimes totaling 65 people! He was in his element being host to all his kids, grandkids, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and all the great, and great-great nieces and nephews!

Fred was the last of the immediate Gibson family to pass, leaving us on February 9, 2021. His niece Angela said her mom must have been lonely in heaven and called up the rest of her family. He leaves his wife Connie, sons Freddy and Jeremy, grandsons Jimmy and Tyler, great granddaughters, and loving nieces and nephews. He also felt blessed to be the “stand-in dad” to nieces Stefanie Schroeder Moore and Roxanne Bristow.

He leaves a void no one can fill.

But Fred didn’t want us to be sad. He asked that we play his favorite 60’s music and remember him with a smile. Therefore, he’ll leave you with one of his favorite sayings, “Well, that went over like a fart in a space suit.”