Joe D. Gibson

Joe Gibson, born September 11, 1932, in Hughes Springs, TX, went to his eternal home March 15, 2022. Joe was a devoted Christian, husband, brother, father, grandfather, and “Papa Joe” to many.

Joe served in the United States Army during the Korean War from March of 1953 to February of 1955. In Korea, he worked in command operations at a military ocean terminal in the 35th infantry regiment. Joe was awarded the United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. After he was discharged, he married his long-time love, Mima on March 25th, 1955. They started their family in 1956 when their son Randy was born, and Paul followed shortly after in 1964. The Gibson’s lived in Texarkana, Little Rock, Arkansas, and Bedford, Texas where they have lived for over 50 years.

Joe’s faith was an essential part of his life, and he instilled these values in his growing family. He served as deacon of their church in Texarkana, Little Rock and First Baptist Bedford. He also taught Sunday school alongside Mima countless times over the years. They also loved to work in their garden together and maintained one of the most immaculate yards in Bedford. He was the family’s go-to handy man, mechanic, babysitter, 42 player, airport shuttle driver and garage sale extraordinaire. Needless to say – there wasn’t much Papa Joe couldn’t do or wouldn’t do for anyone.

For a living, Joe worked in the parts department East Texas Motor Freight – later ABF Freight Lines – until he retired in 1990. Though Joe was always busy doing something, his favorite pastime was supporting the L.D. Bell Baseball team for nearly 30 years. Papa Joe was a devoted supporter, attending countless ball games and baseball camps, and helped take care of the field well into his 80’s. In his Blue Raider tenure, he was the official flag bearer every gameday and only missed one baseball camp in 28 years. He loved every minute of it and loved the community of Blue Raider friends who became like family.

Papa Joe was loved by many, but he loved many more. He leaves nothing but good memories behind and he will be greatly missed. We find peace knowing he is pain-free in the house of the Lord. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Kids Beach Club or Mid-Cities Women’s Clinic.
Preceded in death by his mother & father, Nathanial & Sadie Gibson, siblings, Evelyn Gibson, William Perry Gibson, Jacqueline Shelton, Janis Rankin, Harolyn Burney, and daughter in law, Diana Gibson. Survived by wife, Mima Gibson, siblings, Kenneth Gibson and Barbara Smith, son, Randy Gibson, son, Paul Gibson, and wife Cherie Gibson. Grandchildren, Krystal Whitten and husband Andy Whitten, Philip Gibson and wife Joy Gibson, Bryce Gibson and wife Amber Gibson, Shannon Hutchinson and husband Ed Hutchinson, Blake Gibson and wife Annie Gibson. Great-Grandchildren, Pierce Whitten, Haven Whitten, Harlyn Gibson, Crozby Gibson, and Emery Gibson.

The family will receive friends and visitors from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M., Sunday, March 20, 2022 at Lucas Funeral Home in Hurst. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Monday, March 21, 2022 at Cross City Church in Euless followed by interment at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park in Colleyville, Texas.