John W. Gibson, 80, passed away at his home on May 19, 2018 after a long battle with prostate cancer. He was born in Chicago, IL, March 22, 1938, the son of William A. Gibson and Ruth L. Koppelmyer Gibson, who predeceased him. He is survived by a brother, James E. “Jim” Gibson (Paula) of Apopka, FL and a sister Lynne L. Gettelfinger (Dr. Dennis M.) of Mt. Pleasant, SC. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews – Jeffrey J. Gibson, MD (Kirsty) of Key Biscayne, FL, CDR (USN) David W. Gibson, MD, (Melissa) of Oak Harbor, WA, a niece Sheri L. Gibson Dempsey (Adam) of Laurel Springs, NJ, a nephew Matthew Gettelfinger of Los Angeles, CA, a nephew, Bradley W. Gettelfinger of Princeville, Kauai, HI, plus several grand nephews and nieces. He is also mourned by Mr. Warren Bennett, his dear friend, who was his devoted caretaker at the end, and who was like a son to Jack, and Warren’s two sons Alex Matthews, and Jaden Bennett, who called him their “Grandpa.”
Jack graduated with honors from Monmouth College, Illinois in 1959, and then attended the University of Pittsburgh, earning a MS degree in Physics in 1961. He then began his career as a research physicist at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Washington, DC. Areas of research included ultra-low temperature properties of materials (superconductivity) and electronic properties of surfaces (cathode research). During employment at NRL, he attended classes and earned credits toward a PhD degree at the University of Maryland and Catholic University of America (CU), earning the PhD degree in physics from CU in 1973. Jack retired from NRL in 1993 and moved to North Myrtle Beach. He loved the out of doors, especially the Shenandoah Mountains and The Appalachian Trail. He was an avid hiker and camper, and spent years working with the Boy Scouts, imparting his love of the outdoors to others. Jack was also a master scuba diver, well known around scuba diving clubs for his fabulous 3-D underwater photographs!
The family will meet with friends from 5:00 - 7:00 pm on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at the Lee Funeral Home, 11840 Hwy 90, Little River, SC.
A guestbook is available at www.leefhandcrematory.com.
Lee Funeral Home & Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the family.
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