Lt. Col. Jerry W. Gibson

[ironputts]

March 6, 2021

Lt. Col. Jerry W. Gibson
St. Louis Composite Squadron 1
Missouri Wing

December 12, 1936 - August 31, 2020
Born in Posey County, IN
Resided in St. Peters, MO

Jerry W. Gibson of St. Peters, Missouri passed away on Monday August 31, 2020 after reaching the age of 83 years old. After a short battle with pneumonia, he passed away peacefully with his beloved wife Joan, children (Tammy and Randy), and grandson (Joshua) by his side.

Jerry was born on December 12th, 1936 in Posey County, IN to Margaret Caroline Gibson and Marion Ezra Gibson. As a young boy he lived in Evansville, IN with his mother, father, and sister while attending grade school through high school.

As a very young man he always had a fascination with flying and learning about aircraft. He learned of the Civil Air Patrol Cadet program in a December 1948 Air Trails Magazine, joining at the age of 16 and remaining a member until his passing - reaching the rank of Lt. Colonel.

In 1973, he met the love of his life, Joan Dial. They lived together almost inseparably for over 47 years. They purchased their first and only home together in 1975 in St. Peters, MO where they remained and lived together until his passing. They raised 2 children, and their grandson while living there for over 47 years.

While in St. Peters, Jerry worked for McDonnell Douglas & Boeing for over 36 years finishing his career as a Senior Project Engineer of Flight Simulation Technology. During this time, he made many great memories and met many influential figures. He spent the years 1961 to 1966 training the astronauts who flew Gemini flights 3 thru 12.  In one of his most memorable moments while meeting and training the astronauts of Gemini 12 he purchased a launch photo of a Gemini Titan and had all 4 astronauts autograph the picture.

He loved everything to do with flying and aviation even spending many hours using flight simulators on his home computer. He had a passion for woodworking and created many beautiful works of art that his family has on display in multiple homes. He enjoyed spending the rest of his free time reading, watching documentaries, and always keeping his mind sharp wanting to learn more each and every day.

Jerry was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather to many. Jerry was a very strong, proud, good man who is loved and will be missed by many.

He is preceded in death by his parents Margaret Caroline Gibson and Marion Ezra Gibson.

Mr. Gibson is survived by his loving wife Mamie Joan Gibson of St. Peters, MO; children Tammy Cullum of St. Peters, MO, Randy Dial of Paragould, AR; grandchildren Joshua Lowing (Tammy) of Moore, OK; Heather Wiegraffe (Chris) of Florissant, MO; and great grandchildren Alissa Lowing, Emma Lowing, and Ashton Wiegraffe.