Joseph "Walter" Gibson
May 22, 1940 ~ January 16, 2014
Services:
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 24, 2014 at 10:00 AM in Sacred Heart Catholic Church Bushwood, MD with Father Charlie Cortinovis officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Visitation:
The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 23, 2014 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM with prayer recited at 7:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Leonardtown, MD.
Joseph “Walter” Gibson, 73, of La Plata, MD, formerly from Bushwood, MD passed away on January 16, 2014 in East Stroudsburg, PA. Born on May 22, 1940 in Bushwood, MD, he was the son of the late Thomas Laurie Sr. and Essie Mae Owens Gibson.
Walter was the loving husband of Melanie Andrea Downs Gibson, whom he married on September 10, 1966 in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bushwood, MD. Walter is survived by his children: Julie Scoville (Doug) of Fairfax, VA, Jenny Gibson-McCann (Mark) of Philadelphia, PA, Joe Gibson of Catonsville, MD; 2 grandchildren: Derek and Dominic; Siblings: Jim Gibson, Helen Hewitt, and Bernadette Zimmerman, all of Bushwood, MD; Betty Williams of Mechanicsville, MD; and McGuire Gibson of Chicago, IL. He was preceded in death by his siblings: Thomas Laurie Gibson Jr., Francis Gibson, and Roseline Thorne.
Walter graduated from Ryken High School in 1957 and graduated from the University of Maryland in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science. He lived in St. Mary’s County, MD from 1940 to 1966 and he worked as a Soil Scientist for the United States Army in Ft. Belvoir, retiring in 2001 after 35 years of service. He also owned and operated J.W. Gibson Construction Company for 45 years. Walter served in the United States Army for two and half years during the Vietnam War, from 1962 to September 1964. His duty station was Tobeyhanna Army Depot, PA. Walter enjoyed traveling, building, restoring vintage tractors and V.W. Bugs.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 23, 2014 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 24, 2014 at 10:00 AM in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bushwood, MD with Father Charles Cortinovis officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers: John Brown, Tristan Brown, Mark Hewitt, Joey Williams, Paul Eric Gibson, Jr., and Ned Keegan. Honorary Pallbeareres: Jack Williams, Andrew Guy, Donald Hewitt, Eric Gibson, Bernard Chambers, Frank Thorne, and Tom Thorne.
Contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Charles County, 71 Industrial Park Drive, P.O. box 1015 Waldorf, MD 20604, and/or Pancreatic Cancer Action Network - www.pancan.org.
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“Walter ,after getting some age on him, asked us to call him “Walter”, which we respected, BUT, he will always be my “Baby Brother”. I hope now, that he is up there sawing and hammering with my Ben and our father,and, what a reunion it must be to be reunited with his Mom, his sister Rosaline, and his brothers Laurie and Francis! “
“Aunt Melanie, Julie, Jenny and Joe, our most sincere condolences to you all. We pray you will find peace and love in all those that surround you. Share the stories, laugh and love each other. He is a good man, father, husband and of course, uncle. God bless.”
“Sorry to hear of another neighboring family and SH Chuch member passing. Deepest sympathy to all the family. “
“Melanie, I just heard of Walter’s passing today from Frances. I did not know him well, but just hearing you speak of him I know he was a wonderful husband and father. Please know I am thinking of all of you and send my sincere sympathy. Chris”
“I worked with Joe (didn’t know him as Walter) for a number of years at ETL/TEC at Fort Belvoir. He was such a nice, gentle man. My deepest sympathy goes to the entire Gibson family. May wonderful memories be some comfort to all of you.”
“Sorry to hear about Mr. Gibson passing, by parents (Stevie & Louise) thought the world on him. Him and my dad did alot of projects together. Our families will keep your family in our prayers.”
“Melanie, Julie, Jenny, and Joe,I Know how much you all were loved by Walter and the animals also. Please know that He is in my prayers every day. I remember-when we, McGuire, Walter and I were small, we used to play under the house in the dirt where we each had a farm. Since it was during WW11, we used bottles for cars and cans for trucks. We had a ball. We also worked on the farm later in tobacco and everything else that was included on a farm. I look back on those days as a time of joy with my two younger brothers. God love all of you.”
“Julie, Jenny and family, My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I know you just adored your Dad and hope all of your many wonderful memories will bring you comfort during this most difficult time. “
“Melanie: So sorry to hear about Walter. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.”
“I am so sorry for your loss! You are all in my thoughts and prayers!”
“Sorry to hear of Walters passing. We will keep him and the family in our prayers”
“Aunt Melanie, Julie, Jenny & Joe, my heart goes out to you all with the passing of my dear uncle. He always teased me when I was a child on the farm in Bushwood, where I spent a lot of time while I was growing up. I’m sure you all had you share of his teases. The sadness is what is in all of our hearts now, but memories will be many as the days go by. He was a great uncle – one that always brought a smile to my face. He will be missed by us all. “
“Melanie,Julie,Jenny,Joe and The Gibson Families, I am so sorry to hear of Walter’s passing. I wish you ALL Comfort, Renewed Strength, Hope and my Deepest Sympathy. May God Bless you ALL.”
“Ms. Gibson, Julie, Jenny, and joe, Johnny and I are so sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Gibson. Your family has been such good neighbors over the years. Our sincere prayers and thoughts are with you at this most difficult time. He will surely be missed. May God bless you. We will keep you and your family in our prayers and thoughts. We’re here for you. He was such a good man and we know that he is watching over all of you. Please don’t hesitate to call if we can be of any assistance to you. In friendship and deep sympathy. Sharon and Johnny”
“I have known Walter for 40 years. Never heard him say a mean remark about anyone. Also, he listened more than he talked.”
“Aunt Melanie, Julie, Jenny and Joe: I am so sorry for the loss of Uncle Walter. He will truly be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.”
“Joe, on behalf of the entire team, and the organization you tirelessly support, please accept our deepest and most sincere condolences. We wish you and your family peace and strength during these difficult days. As you adjust to life after loss, remember the positive impact that your father has had and will continue to have on so many people. “
“I worked with Walter (We called him Joe) for quite a few years at Soil Conservation. In fact I was looking at the Soil Survey of St. Marys County just yesterday for some information. This book would probably not exist if it were not for Walters input.A gentleman and good friend. So sorry to hear of his passing, my sincere sympathy”
“To Melanie and his family, Helen, Bernadette and all the rest of the family…our sincerest sympathy. He was such a nice person and be assured of our love, thoughts and prayers for you during this time. “
“Although I don’t recall ever meeting Walter, I’m sure my Father (Lloyd “Buddy” Davis)had many good times with him and his family. I know that my Grandmother (Mae Quade Davis) and her family visited each other often and my Grandmother spoke many times of Aunt Essie Mae and the good times she had visiting in Bushwood. My condolences to Walter’s family and may he rest in peace. I know he has many good souls waiting for him in heaven! “
“Melanie,Julie,Jennie and Joe, please accept our prayers and sincere condolences. May God give you all the strength and comfort needed during this difficult time. Remember all the happy times.”
“Melanie. My deepest sympathy to you and your family. I fondly remember Walter from our high school years when we were “removed” from the Academy and became part of the first class to graduate from Ryken “
“I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your extended family”
“Aunt Melanie, So sorry for the family’s loss. I remember working a little with Uncle Walter and my Dad on a couple of small construction projects when I was a teenager. “
“Dear Betty, Bernadette, Helen and the Gibson family, Bruce and I send our Love, Prayers and Deepest Sympathy to you all.”
“Dear Melanie and Family: I was saddened when I received the word that Joe had passed. Joe was a good friend and I always enjoyed his company. I fondly recall the time we worked on the DC Soil Survey and other projects in Maryland when he was with USDA/SCS. Myra joins me in offering our prayers and sympathy. Horace and Myra Smith Raleigh, NC”
“Melanie and family: So sorry to hear of Walters passing. He is at peace now. I’m sorry I was unable to come to his service. He will be in my thoughts and prayers. Take Care.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Gibson family.”
“Melanie I’m so sorry to hear of Walter’s passing. My prayers are with you and your family.”