In Memory of  Leslie "Gib" Gibson Jr.

LESLIE JOHN GIBSON, JR. Gib was my brother-in-law. Before he was, I felt like punching him for kissing my sister goodnight after a date outside my bedroom window. Anyhow, they decided to marry one December around Christmas. I am vague on the details -- but Janet was gone from me, as life will have it. I had to make do with my own adventures. I soon learned that Leslie was in the Army, and that they were first in New Mexico and then in Hawaii. Next I heard they were parents of a baby daughter named Tammy. I thought that at least they did not name her Gidget. Later, after his service in the Army, they were back home, and Les was looking for work. Uncle John Pfohl, living in the Cleveland area, suggested that he apply to Lincoln Electric where he worked. That "share the profit" company was looking to hire promising talent. It was a while before Mom and Dad told us how impressed they were with how well the Gibsons were doing out there in Ohio. Eventually, over the years there were more opportunities to get together, to become more familiar with who the Gibsons were. They were a prosperous, happy, active family with interesting friends like Will and Carolyn Lutz. They had a large beautiful house and surroundings. They even had a sailboat! In later years we continued to visit back and forth and travel together in Europe, the U.S. and Canada. Gibby became a cherished and important friend to me. He no longer was just a brother-in-law. I was often impressed with how capable and knowledgeable he was in a variety of areas. He was able to do things I found impossibly challenging. So, you can imagine my devastated state when I learned he was suddenly in hospice care and soon would no longer be in my world. Death is so very final. Gib, I am deeply saddened that you are no longer with us. I loved you and depended on you and I miss you.