Jonathon Rob Gibson December 15, 1944-February 25, 2008
Passed away February 25 following complications from acute leukemia.
Jon is survived by his treasured wife of 30 years, Karen Ray. He was very proud of his
three sons: Rob and wife Laura, Martin and Joshua. He was a loving son to Bobbie Gibson
and the late Rodney Gibson, Sr. Adored brother to Janey Gibson Jordan and
Rodney Gibson, Jr. Special grandpa to Drew, Halle and Boden. He leaves behind many
relatives and friends, particularly Gary Bard and David Dryden.
Jon was born in Miami, FL,
but spent most of his life in the Bay Area. He attended Glenview Elementary, McChesney
Junior High and Oakland High. He graduated from St. Joseph's High in Alameda. He became an
Eagle Scout at 16.
From 1963-67, he served in the U.S. Air Force, specializing in radar and
electronics. In 1968, he entered the electrical apprenticeship and was an electrician with
IBEW Local 595 for more than 35 years. His superior trouble-shooting ability, perfectionism
and high standards earned him the respect of his fellow electricians. He supervised the
electrical installations on the first cranes on the Oakland Estuary, earned a National
Energy Management Award in 1995 while employed at Lawrence Berkeley Lab, worked at Kaiser
Hospital, Oakland and Gregerson Electric.
Jon retired in 2005. He taught electricians,
both apprentices and journeymen at Chabot College for 20 years. He mentored, volunteered
and helped many individuals and groups. Throughout his life, Jon was an avid trout fisherman
and outdoorsman. He was a member of the Grizzly Peak Fly Fishers. Jon has "Gone Fishing!"
There will be a memorial celebration April 26, 2:00 on Wilton Drive in Oakland.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trout Unlimited, www.tu.org. or the Leukemia
Lymphoma Society www.lls.org.