Carol Gifford Gibson

Carol Gifford Gibson, 88, of Gonzales, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015. Carol was born Sept. 3, 1926 in Olivia, Texas to Carl Franklin Gibson and Rachel Dexter Bell Gibson. He was raised in Gillette and moved to Gonzales and worked on the ranch with his dad. Carol picked cotton by day and worked at the cotton gin by night. He joined the U.S. Navy in June of 1943 and served his country honorably during WWII as a radar operator. He received the American Area Campaign Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal. Carol was discharged from the Navy in June of 1946 and he returned to Gonzales and the cotton fields. Carol married Mary Ella Richter on March 24, 1947 in Gonzales County. He went to work for Sparks Trucking Company building roads in LaGrange until he took work in the oil field, a career in which he would spend the next 50 years.

Carol loved his family. Not just his immediate family, but his extended family and their family’s. It was his nature to put the needs of others before his own. He was always the first one to lend a hand whenever anyone needed help. 

He read his bible every day and he always had a song in his heart as he loved to sing. He put in a vegetable garden every year and his produce would rival that of the best of gardeners. His produce was so plentiful families through out the area enjoyed the bounty of fresh vegetables from his garden, all for free. 

Carol was a hard worker; his rugged hands reflected his years of being productive. Still, Carol found time for pleasure; he enjoyed his trips to Branson and Colorado Springs. He dearly loved supporting his children in their activities growing up and would dare not miss any of his grandchildren’s scholastic or athletic events. Memories of Paw-Paw, sitting in the stands on any given summer evening watching with the assured pride of a loving grandfather as his grandchildren stood at the plate to bat or took the mound in softball or baseball are memories that they will treasure the balance of their lives. For win or lose, Paw Paw’s rugged hands were soft as silk to wipe away tears of disappointment and strong to draw them in for a celebratory hug. 

The manner in which Carol lived each day of his life was a magnificent example for his children and grandchildren to follow. He was a good man, a loving man and a man of faith. He was a man of flawless character, wise in the teachings of scripture and always humble. He had a warm smile that would bring you close and a twinkle in his eyes that reflected his joy to see you. Carol Gibson didn’t seek to make the books of small town lore; Carol Gibson was just a man that made the small town better because he lived.

Carol is survived by his daughters and son-law, Marilyn Vaughan of New Berlin and Shari and John Stefinsky of Gonzales; sons and daughters-in-law, Carl and Julie Gibson of Gonzales and Rickey and Kathy Gibson of Gonzales; sisters and brothers-in-law, Merle Pearson of Odessa, Rosa Lee and Max Owens of Mt. Enterprise and Patsy Ann and Johnny Malik of Shiner; brothers and sisters-in-law, Aubry  and Rose Gibson of Luling, Elwyn and Shirley Gibson of Gonzales and Sammie and Ginger Gibson of Gonzales; sister-in-law, Edith Warren of Gonzales; brother-in-laws, Nixon Richter of Luling, Frank Dzienowski of Del Valle and Edwin Wiley of Gonzales; granddaughters, Jean Anne Grubb and Todd of New Berlin, Debra Mueller and Jake of Seguin, Tiffany Lester and Daniel of Gonzales, Bethany King and Dane of Victoria, Lanece Gibson of Victoria, Whitney Stefinsky of Rockport, Tammy Hernandez of Gonzales and Hillary Chase of Gonzales; grandsons, Kenneth Vaughan and Barbie of Baytown, Gregory Stefinsky of Gonzales and Zachary Hernandez of Gonzales; 11 great-grandchildren and a host of loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his adoring wife of 49 years, Mary Ella Richter Gibson; parents; sisters, Shirley Wilkerson, Hallie Bishop, Vivian Nesloney, Gerry Dzienowski and Earlene Gibson; brothers, Shelton Gibson and baby Don Gibson.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27 in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home with Revs. David Jackson and Clint Lowery officiating. Interment will follow in Gonzales Memorial Park. Pallbearers are Curtis Gibson, Marvin Gibson, Brian Gibson, Walter “Rusty” Warren, Jr., Joey Dzienowski and Delton Bishop. Honorary pallbearers are his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Gonzales County Veterans Memorial Association, 562 CR 238, Gonzales, Texas 78629. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.