Lee Gibson

Lee Gibson, loving husband and father, was born January 1, 1943 in the small town of Manassa, Colorado –a farming community located in the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado. He loved to go fishing and hunting, seeing nature, and the freedom of Manassa and its surrounding hills. He passed away on August 27, 2024, at 81 years of age. 

Lee was the third child born to Elmer Paul Gibson and Elva Jane Johnson. His older sisters were Doris and Marilyn and his younger brothers were Ron and Bruce. He also had an older half-brother, Sonny and a half-sister named Pat from his father’s previous marriage. Also two half-brothers Hoot and Les from his mother’s previous marriage. He was the last living of his family. 

In high school Lee played baseball, football and participated in track. He lettered in all three. At 19 (1962) he went on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served two years in (as it was called at that time) The West Central State Mission. Soon, he served as a Zone Leader. In this capacity he was leader and counselor to other missionaries in many areas of the mission. Lee said he was led to the people that wanted to listen to the gospel and baptized 52. 

After his mission he moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. There he met and married Sharon Barker in 1965 in the Salt Lake Temple. He was blessed with two children, Marnie Lynn and Alan Loyde, Sharon and him found they had different goals and later divorced. 

In May of 1971, he met Cecile Gowers and they were married in 1973 and later in the Salt Lake Temple. Again, he was blessed with two more children, Michael Lee and Paul Glen, and Lee also adopted Cecile’s daughter Tashia. 

Lee worked 29 years in the dairy industry and had his own fencing company for 5 years.

He moved to California in 1992 and served in many church organization as well as two times in the Bishopric. He later served a mission with his wife, Cecile, in the Anaheim Stake Mission. 

He is survived by his children Marnie, Tashia, Alan, Mike and Paul and 9 grand chidren –Felicia, Latisha, Jessica, Lance, Kayla, Sharlene, Garrett and Renae, and three great granddaughters, Amy, Isla, and Lilly. As they loved him, with all his heart he gave back that love to his family. 

Lee said he accomplished and had more in life than he ever dreamed.

Graveside services will be held Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at 11:00 am at Vine Bluff Cemetery.