Vernon O. (Hoot) Gibson Obituary (1927

Hardesty, OK - Texas County farmer and rancher Vernon O. "Hoot" Gibson passed away Friday, March 18, 2011 at St. Luke's Medical Center, Houston TX at the age of 83. Vernon was born at home on October 13, 1927, to Harold and Vera "Opal" Gilbert Gibson, the third of five children. After graduating from Hardesty High School in 1947 he joined the Army, and then returned home to care for his parents. On April 14, 1952, he married the love of his life, Ruby Ann Wahl, and together they began farming and ranching near Hardesty to support a family that would grow to include 4 children, 6 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. In order to prosper in the Panhandle, Vernon worked a number of jobs. He particularly enjoyed working for Hardesty Schools and operating heavy equipment at Optima Lake. Vernon retired from the Army Corps of Engineers in 1990. Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Leon, and brother-in-law James Breen. He is survived by his wife, Ruby; daughters Linda Calhoon and husband Bob of Barnsdall, OK; Susan Carney and husband Tim of El Dorado Hills, CA; Treva Braun and husband Mike of Spearman, TX; son Virgil Gibson of Hardesty; grandchildren Jeremy Carney, Josh Carney, Andrea Dickens and husband Jon, Matthew McCormick, Thad McCormick and wife Andrya, and Charles McCormick; and great-grandchildren Bailey and Logan Dickens, Maddox and Abigail McCormick. Surviving family also include siblings Arlo Gibson and his wife Martha, Bonnie Miller and her husband Noel, Darlene Breen, and sister-in-law Burnetha Jackson. Sharing our loss are many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A man strong in faith, Vernon was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church and benefactor of the Gibson Baptist Assembly. Funeral services will be conducted at the Gibson Baptist Assembly Tabernacle (approx 10 miles east of Hardesty on Hwy 3) on Wednesday, March 23rd at 2:00 PM with Rev. Jay Kindsvater, minister at the Baptist Student Union at OPSU, Goodwell, officiating. Masonic graveside services will follow at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Henson-Novak Funeral Home, 501 NW Fifth, Guymon on Tuesday evening, 6:00-8:00 PM. Memorials may be given to the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery or the Gibson Baptist Assembly, c/o Henson-Novak Funeral Directors, PO Box 1306, Guymon, OK 73942.