Fletcher W. Gibson

Mr. Gibson was born April 2, 1915 in Bradford, Massachusetts. He grew up in Philadelphia and attended Michigan State University. It was too cold for Mr. Gibson and he had always wanted to go to Texas.... so he hitch-hiked 1,500 miles to Southern Methodist University in Dallas. There he was offered an athletic scholarship and went on to set the Southwest Conference mile record in track. He was a life member of the SMU Alumni Association and Lettermans Association. He joined the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. After graduating from SMU with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education in 1942, he enlisted in the Marines where he became a platoon sergeant during World War II. After the War, he earned his Master of Arts degree, in 1947 at Columbia University in New York City. It was while attending Columbia that he met and married his wife, Blanche. Fletcher and Blanche soon moved to Ft. Lauderdale where she taught Home Economics and he coached basketball and football. Despite a two year period where Mr. Gibson took a head coaching position at Caesar Rodney High School in Camden-Wyoming, Delaware and coached the varsity team to the State Championship, the Gibson's resided in Ft. Lauderdale almost twenty-five years. He coached Ft. Lauderdale High School to the State Championship during that period for his second state championship team. In 1971, the family moved to Hide-Away-Lake where Mr. and Mrs. Gibson continued their teaching careers at Tyler Junior College. He was finally back in Texas. Mr. Gibson is survived by his wife, Blanche; his son Fletcher Wade Gibson III; and his Grandson, Fletcher "Wade" Gibson, IV., both of Houston, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would especially like to thank all the people at the EMS staff and the Security staff at Hide-A-Way Lake for their years of continuous support, and the Heart to Heart Hospice of Tyler, and Dr. Wendell Hand of Lindale for their loving and incredible support, as well. They are all truly wonderful.. The family is welcoming friends and neighbors to visit with them this Sunday, March 12th, from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. at Caudle-Rutledge Funeral Home, 206 W. South, Lindale, TX., In lieu of flowers, the family wishes any donations to be directed to The Heart to Heart Hospice of Tyler, or the charity of your choice.

Fletcher W. Gibson

April 2, 2015 - March 7, 2006