Bruce Melvin Gibson

Bruce Melvin Gibson, 95, passed away Friday, May 27, 2016, at his home.

Funeral services will be held Monday, June 6, 2016, at 11 a.m. at the Farmington Orchard Ward, 1282 W. 1875 N. There will be a viewing Sunday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Russon Brothers Mortuary, 1941 North Main, Farmington. Interment at the Utah Valley Veterans Memorial. The family is so grateful for the love and care given by his daughter Brenda Shaw and her family to our Dad all these years. She was his special angel. We love her for this service. Service was a huge concept for Dad.

Bruce had an amazing memory! He had a love for history and for others. He influenced many lives and gave patient and compassionate counsel. He was forever steadfast and unwavering for what was right and true. He was also forever grateful that his Mother took in washing and ironing to buy a $35.00 piano and pay for music lessons during the Depression. The piano gave him and his family many hours of pleasure and comfort. His grandchildren and great- grandchildren remember his playing the piano and harmonica, and his sincere interest in their lives. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he had a great love for the scriptures and faithfully searched and pondered them. His gratitude for his pioneer heritage was reflected by his life of consecration and dedication to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Bruce was born March 5, 1921, in Snowflake, Arizona, the son of Bernard E. and Grace Flake Gibson. In his early years Bruce grew up on a ranch near Prescott and then during the Depression years the family moved to Phoenix, Arizona. "We lived in Phoenix, Arizona, on Cleveland Road, where I attended Longview Elementary School and played many a marble game 'for keeps'."  He took piano lessons in the 7th and 8th grades, chopped wood, milked Mabel, Pet, and Baby, and played baseball (catcher) and basketball.

From 1935 to 1939 he attended Phoenix Union High School where he played point guard in intra-mural basketball. He also played baseball and boxed. At 15, he worked at the A.J. Bayless Grocery Store for 20 cents an hour as a “Package Boy” and then for 25 cents as a “Floor Boy”.  The summer of 1936 he drove a three-wheel motorcycle delivering ice cream for “Sunny Boys”. Bruce graduated in the top 10% even though with his job at the Fox Theater he worked late into the night as usher and light replacer (one of only a few “wire walkers” on the large FOX marquee).

Upon graduation and after 40 hours in the Taylor Craft he obtained his private pilot license; and graduated from Phoenix Junior College. His call to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came in June of 1941 to the East Central States. There were 5 states in that mission: Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. As a missionary his "testimony was strengthened and we walked many a mile not knowing where we would sleep that night".

Returning to Phoenix, and attending his first ward activity, "I danced with this returned missionary (Rene his future wife) from The Mexican Mission and enjoyed her company every night for five weeks until I left for Navy boot camp." He served in the Navy from 1943-1946, and while receiving his Naval training and assignments, Bruce says he married "the perfect companion", Rowene Robinson, on March 18, 1944, in Norfolk, Virginia. They were sealed in the Mesa Arizona Temple on 3 March, 1945. After serving aboard the ammunition ship LST 1144, he was discharged in March of 1946 in Lido Beach, New York, as a Y1C. Bruce was always proud that all three of his sons served in the military.

In June 1946 he enrolled in the University of Arizona where he graduated in June 1949 with majors in History, English, Literature, and Economics with a minor in Spanish; and a later degree in Library Science and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration.

In 1949 Bruce accepted a teaching contract from the San Pedro School District in St. David, Cochise County, Arizona, where he taught English, History, Civics, and Spanish to Juniors and Seniors for twenty years.  He also coached the basketball team and assisted the football coach for four years.  He expanded and nurtured the school's library for 28 years, and for the last 8 of those years he was the Elementary and High School Superintendent.

From 1953 to 1973, Bruce served in the Stake Presidency of the Southern Arizona Stake for 6 years, then as President of the Arizona South Stake, later named the St. David Arizona Stake, for 14 years.  He received the Silver Beaver award and had a great love for Scouting.

From 1977 to 1980 he and Rowene served as President and Mission Mother of the Chile Santiago South Mission.  Teen daughters Julie and Vickie often blended voices with their Mother and filled the Mission Home with song and a family atmosphere. The last year, daughter Gloria joined them after completing her mission to Peru.

In 1989 and 1990, Bruce presided over the Missionary Training Center in Lima, Peru, where he and Hermana Gibson trained, nurtured, and loved 1413 Elders and Sisters from Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. Upon returning from this mission, Bruce and Rowene took much time in caring for his aging Dad (with brother Bob), and his Mother (with sister Gwen).

Surviving are two sisters, Shirley Guffey of Tualatin, OR; and Carol Jean Frost of Provo, UT; two sons, Geoffrey B. (Carol) Gibson, Las Vegas, NV; and Daniel B. (Terrie) Gibson of St. David, AZ; four daughters, Brenda (Gary) Shaw, Farmington, UT; Gloria (Steve) Baker, Sierra Vista, AZ; Julie (Scott) Stringfellow, Lacey, WA; Vickie ( Rock) Finlinson, Washington Terrace, UT; 35 grandchildren and 87 great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by his wife, Rowene; his son, Donald R. and wife Marlene Grahl, son-in-law Bruce Coleman, his sister, Gwen Noble, brother, Robert E. Gibson and his great-granddaughter, Bethany Smith.