Obituary of Phillip Henry Gibson

PHILLIP H. GIBSON April 2, 1922 to May 14, 2014 Phillip H. Gibson (“Phil”) a longtime resident of the Milwaukie/Gladstone area passed away on May 14, 2014. Phil was born in the small town of Stromsburg, Nebraska and was one of eight children born to Thomas and Alma Gibson. Shortly after high school and with little money, Phil rode out on a freight train to join his brothers already residing in Portland, Oregon. In 1942, he was inducted into the U.S. Army and served his country as a Military Policeman at the Panama Canal. After he was honorably discharged, he began employment at the Portland Wire and Iron Company where he was employed for 25 years. In 1946, he met his future wife, Betty Goodwin, at a dance and they were married in June of 1947. In 1953, the couple moved to the Milwaukie, Oregon area where they raised their four children. In 1971, Phil co-founded J&P Wire Products until his retirement in 1986. J & P Wire Products is still a family owned company. Phil enjoyed his retirement years and among his many interests were playing cards, gardening, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. They visited every state in the U.S. except one. On one of many cross-country trips, Phil attended his 50th high school class reunion in Stromsburg, Nebraska. They visited many foreign countries as well. Phil loved sports especially college football (Ducks and Beavers both) and the Portland Trailblazers. He also enjoyed attending his son and grandchildren’s sporting events. In 2007, Phil and Betty celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Betty passed away later that year in October, 2007. Phil then moved into The Springs Retirement community which he thoroughly enjoyed. With his outgoing personality, he developed a reputation as a jokester and enjoyed attaching a nickname to those he met. He was also a longtime member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church. His survivors include his daughters, Carol Ransom, Barbara Gibson and Lorraine Castaneda, his son, Douglas Gibson, son-in-laws Michael Ransom and Ray Castaneda, and daughter-in-law, Janice Gibson, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. This generous, kind and giving man will be greatly missed by his family and friends and comfort will come in knowing that their lives were deeply enriched by knowing and loving him. Service Information