December 27, 1916 - August 23, 2010
John "Frank" Francis Gibson Obituary
Passed away August 23, 2010. He was a wonderful son, husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and friend. He was born December 27, 1916 in Paris, Texas to Dr. and Mrs. John Francis McCain Gibson (Imogene Pace Nickell of Millboro, VA). The family moved in the 1920's and he grew up in Olympia, WA.
In his youth, Frank had many adventures. With lifelong friend, Richard Talcott, he climbed and camped on Mt. Rainer, caught dogfish in Puget Sound (which he tried to keep in the Gibsons' bathtub) and bought his first car at the age of 13. (Their parents made them return the car.) At sixteen, Frank paddled a canoe from Olympia to Victoria, BC with high school friend, John Williams. After six weeks and a close call in Deception Pass during flood tide, they arrived safely at the Oak Bay Yacht Club.
Frank graduated from Olympia High School and the University of Washington. He was first in his mining engineering class and a member of engineering honorary, Tau Beta Pi. After graduation, he and several classmates moved to Butte, MT where they tried their hands at prospecting and working in the copper mines. As the U.S. became engaged in World War II, all joined branches of the service. Frank chose the Army. He served as a 1st Lieutenant with the 1091 Battalion of the Corp of Engineers, building and repairing runways on Okinawa.
After the war, Frank returned to Olympia, where he met the love of his life, Shirley Louise Bernhoft, who had rented an apartment from his parents. With the encouragement of Dr. and Mrs. Gibson, he arrived at her door one afternoon and announced, "my Mother sent me over to play." They were married eleven months later on November 8, 1947.
At the same time, Frank formed Gibson & Roberts with college classmate William J. ("Bill") Roberts, basing their company in Spokane. They specialized in drilling and blasting tunnels for dams and highways around the country. After a number of years, Roberts decided to specialize in highway construction and Frank pursued the tunnel business as Frank Gibson, Inc.
Frank is survived by his wife of 62 years, Shirley; daughters Laura Bassano Gibson (North Hollywood, CA) and Greer Gibson Bacon; son-in-law Rodney J. Bacon; and the light of his life, grandson Jennings Gibson Bacon, all of Spokane.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 127 E. 12th Ave., Spokane. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to the charity of one's choosing.
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