Charles Nelson Gibson, 92, died April 19, 2018 in Largo, FL. Born on December 16, 1925 in DeKalb County, GA. Charles was one of five children born of Roy Curtis Gibson and his wife Francis Merle Gibson. He was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, husband, friend and he loved being with family and friends.
Preceded in death by wife Allene, his brother Bobby, sisters Dot, Sarah, and his daughter in law Kathy
Charles is survived by his daughter Anne her husband Danny, sons Charles and wife Lynn, Curtis and wife Dianne, Lee and wife Lisa, Lester, and by his sister Elsie, and Charles longtime friend and companion Diana. Charles has 17 Grandchildren, 25 Great grandchildren, 3 Great-great grandchildren
He grew up in Red Oak, Fulton County Georgia. He graduated from Campbell High School, Fairfield Georgia. Charles received his Bachelor of Business Degree from University of Georgia, Atlanta Division.
Charles served in the United States Marine Corps, 4th Marine Division. He was part of the Pacific campaign of WWII, fought at Battle of Saipan, Battle of Tinian, and Battle of Iwo Jima. At age 18, Charles received the Purple Heart for wounds suffered in the conquest of Saipan. He continually expressed support for all United States service members and he attended weekly meetings with local service members.
Charles was a member of Boca Ciega Yacht club for many years and Charles especially enjoyed sailing. He enjoyed spending time on his 20 foot O’Day Mariner named Rebel and his 30 foot Seafarer named Talisman. He enjoyed Florida-West-Coast and sailed, camped, explored the waters, islands, and the ports of call in between Anclote Key and its lighthouse in Tarpons Springs southerly to Key West and westerly out to Dry Tortugas, to tour Fort Jefferson and Loggerhead Key lighthouse installation on a tropical island within the Dry Tortugas group of islands.
When at his home in Largo he enjoyed cooking on his charcoal fire grill – hamburgers, hot dogs and his fabulous “rotisserie style of roasting where a large roastbeef skewered on a spit being cooked over a charcoal fire”. You can imagine the smell of garlic and pepper and the wonderful taste of it. Charles hosted the annual Christmas Eve get together, reading of the “Christmas Scriptures” then the “exchange of fun gifts” will all ages participating.
Charles enjoyed attending the annual family reunions. To the best of his knowledge his family has been a part of the Shiloh United Methodist Church revival camp meeting services since 1866, held in Burwell community, eight miles west of Carrollton, Ga., and he attended his first meeting as a 8 month old infant in August 1926.
Charles knew the importance of family and therefore he, his brother and sisters began to meet annually with their children for the “Gibson Family Reunion” since 1963 which is held in various locations in Florida and Georgia.
Charles, Dad leaves us with many great memories of togetherness and asked to share this poem
Crossing The Bar
By Alfred Lord Tennyson
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.
Charles childhood included some special times of reciting scripture versus to his father and mother. One of the most chosen verse was from the Gospel of John, chapter 11, verse 35 “Jesus wept” because it was the shortest verse in the Bible. That verse is based upon Jesus meeting Martha and Mary and the discussion of their brother Lazarus death. Further reading of the following verses records where Jesus also said: Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of GOD? Jesus looked up and said – Father I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I say this for the “benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me…Jesus called in a loud voice “Lazarus come out”…and the dead man Lazarus came out.
We believe our Dad heard Jesus say Charles come here and enter into heaven…Heaven is a place of joy and reward, Heaven is a place prepared for us… In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am.
Additional scriptures Charles shared with us are below
Psalm 91:7-16 King James Version (KJV)
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him and shew him my salvation.
Psalm 23 King James Version (KJV)
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Mathew 6:9-13 The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be
done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Charles gave this list of his favorite gospel songs
What a friend we have in Jesus
How Great Thou Art
I love to tell the Story
Amazing Grace
Closer to Thee
In The Garden
Nearer My God to Thee
Whispering Hope
Shall We Gather At The River
Far Far Away In Heathen Darkness Dwelling
The Old Rugged Cross
Blessed Assurance
Rock Of Ages
Just As I Am
What A Friend We Have In Jesus
It Is Well With My Soul
When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
Lily O The Valley
When The Saints Go Marching In
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Disable American Veterans https://secure.dav.org/ or Suncoast Hospice https://suncoasthospice.org/
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