Jack Gibson

Jack LeRoy Gibson, age 83, passed away on February 11, 2013. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Alyce (Falconer) Gibson, children Greg Gibson, Brooklyn Park, MN, Scott Gibson, Paynesville, MN, and Jeannine Gibson (Mike Fechko), Sammamish, WA, and grandchildren, Zachary and Victoria Fechko, Sammamish, WA.

Jack was born in Brainerd, MN on May 20, 1929 to Albert and Marguerite (Madge) Gibson. He graduated from Washingon High School in Brainerd in 1946. Attended Brainerd Junior College receiving his Associate of Science Degree in 1948. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Macalester College in St Paul, MN in 1950. He attended Hamline University in St. Paul to receive his Driver's Training Certification in the first group taking this course in 1951. Jack completed his Master of Science degree in Education from the University of North Dakota in 1954. He attended three science institutes at Macalester College in 1956, the University of North Dakota in 1957 and St. Thomas College in 1958. In 1961, he was chosen for a prestigious National Science Foundation sponsored Oakridge Institute of Nuclear Science program. He spent four months at the University of Tennessee receiving specialized training that helped incorporate science into the schools. He received his Education Specialist degree from the University of Minnesota in 1972.

Jack started his teaching career in Cass Lake, MN in 1950, teaching there until 1967. He was a Supervisor of Student Teachers for Bemidji State University from 1967 - 1971 when he became Principal for Nashwauk-Keewatin High School. In 1972, he became the Superintendent of Schools for the Akeley Public Schools and remained there until 1978. He returned to Cass Lake to complete his 34 years in the education profession before retiring in 1984. Even then he taught physics for another year after retirement so students would receive that course. During the course of those years, he inspired, cajoled, motivated and generally harassed students to advance their education.
During his professional career he was active in all levels of education organizations. Jack served on many committees and was President of the Northern Division (MN) Superintendent's Organization as well as other jobs. Jack actively participated in amateur radio clubs in Bemidji, Cass-Hubbard County and the Brainerd Lakes Area. Jack was honored by Crow Wing county as volunteer of the month for his education tutoring program in June 1999. Jack had varied interests and ways to support his family which included delivering mail on Cass Lake in the summer by boat, cooking at Hills Cafe, working at Deep Rock Oil Company, MNDoT summer road crews, umpiring baseball, coaching various sports teams, participating in Dance Club, and hunting and fishing.

Jack's passions were his family, golf, photography, and amateur radio. He was a long time member at Tianna Country Club in Walker, MN and Eagle's Landing Golf Club in Fort Ripley, MN. Among his golf accomplishments were holes in one at Tianna and Pine Meadows in Brainerd. Jack enjoyed taking photographs with his digital camera, printing them, and sharing them with his subjects. He instilled the love of golf in his daughter, and the passion for photography and artwork in his two sons. His passion for education was passed to his children who all have advanced educational degrees in law, education and business.
A celebration of life will be held at Brenny Funeral Chapel, 7348 Excelsior Road, Baxter, MN on Saturday, February 16. A gathering and visitation will be held at 1pm with a short program of remembrances starting at 2pm. Refreshments will be served after the program.