Richard Dale GIBSON

  Noted events in his life were:

• Obituary, 2016, Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Dale R. Gibson was born Richard Dale Gibson Sept. 17, 1921 to Franklin Earl Gibson and Wilmirth Reidhead in Snowflake, Navajo, Arizona. He graduated from Snowflake Union High School in 1939 where he was interested in playing trumpet in the band and in farming programs, a part of the Future Farmers of America. His goals from that time included teaching Vocational Agriculture.

Dale joined G Company, 158th Infantry of the Arizona National Guard in November 1939 as a private. He was called to active service Sept. 16, 1940 as part of the 45th Division. He served in Oklahoma, Texas, Panama and was returned Georgia for infantry officers school. After being commissioned he was assigned to the 361st Infantry, 91st Division with which he served from Oregon to North Africa and Italy for 11 months of combat. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster for his actions in combat.

Dale married Leoma Cheek, his wife of 66 happy years, Dec. 10, 1943. She preceded him in death Jan. 9, 2010. They have three sons and their wives, Richard D. and Lexia, of Casa Grande, Franklyn D. and Margaret of Lake Saint Louis, Mo., and Charles D and Marilyn of Whittier, Calif.

After graduation from the University of Arizona in 1948, Dale and Lee moved to Florence where he began teaching Vocational Agriculture at Florence Union High School. In 1961, he was appointed Principal-Superintendent of the school. In 1967, he joined the administrative staff of Central Arizona College as Associate Dean of Occupational Education where he served until retirement in 1983. He earned a masters in agriculture from the University of Arizona and a Doctorate from Arizona State University.

He was a long time member of the Lion's Club and active in community affairs. He was a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many leadership roles including helping start the Florence Branch.

He is survived by his three sons and their wives; 13 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and sister Bernadene Gardiner of Mesa.

Through his life he loved to teach and loved the people he was privileged to teach. His message to all was, "Keep learning. There is so much to learn and so little time to learn it."

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28, in Casa Grande with a viewing at 9 a.m. Interment will be held at the Snowflake cemetery at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29.

Richard married Leoma CREEK on 10 Dec 1943 in Snowflake, Navajo County, Arizona, USA. (Leoma CREEK died on 9 Jan 2010 in Snowflake, Navajo County, Arizona, USA.)