John Gibson Obituary

John Henry Gibson, a beloved member of his family and community, Columbus, Texas, passed away at the age of 78 on January 30, 2025 after a long battle with cancer.

He was born on October 4, 1946 to Ernest Taylor Sr. and Bonnie (Birdwell) Gibson in Yoakum, Texas.

After graduating from Yoakum High School, John attended Del Mar Technical Diesel College in Corpus Christie, Texas. John used his mechanical talents at various jobs including Alamo Express, Yoakum Highway department and Global Marine Drilling before opening his own business, Gibson Muffler Shop, in Columbus, TX in 1983.

John was a family man that believed in working hard and playing hard. On July 8, 1967, he married the love of his life Priscilla Kelley. John served his community through the Lion’s club, Chamber of Commerce, Magnolia Homes Tour, Colorado County Fair, and Columbus Volunteer Fire department where he was Fireman of the Year in 1987. John was always helping people. It didn’t matter who you were or what you needed, he was there to help. John loved to hunt, fish, travel, and spend time with family and friends, but his real love was collecting and restoring old cars.

John is survived by his wife, Priscilla Kelley Gibson; son Wade Gibson; daughter Evelyn Sifford and husband Scott; granddaughter Elizabeth Clark and husband Collin; grandson Brian Sifford; brother ET Gibson Jr. and wife Norris; sister, Helen Counts; brother in law, Karl Kelley and wife Lydie Mae; brother in law Rex Kelley and wife Adrianne; sister in law, Kay Manning and husband Ray; brother in law, Ray Kelley and wife Sue; sister in law, Gloria Kelley; sister in law, Suzanne Benes and husband Frank; many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Taylor Sr. and Bonnie Gibson; father in law Clyde Kelley and mother in law Agnes Kelley;  sister Charlene Ennis, sister Margie Schindler; brother in law Bart Kelley and wife Katherine, sister in law Bonnie Etie and husband Howard; brother in law Clyde Stein Kelley and wife Audrey; sister in law Margaret Hinton; brother in law Sam Kelley; sister in law Rosalie Kelley; sister in law Shirley Gibson; 5 half-sisters and numerous nieces and nephews.

Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., at Stafford Opera House Buddy Rau room, Columbus, TX. Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., at Ebenezer Cemetery in Gonzales County. 

Pallbearers are Bill Lattimore, John Buxkamper, Darryl Hurst, Chad Girndt, Michael Janak and Jim Billings.

Memorials may be made to Ebenezer Cemetery or the charity of your choice.