John Anthony Gibson

John Anthony Gibson, age 79, passed away on June 11, 2020 in the presence of loved ones. He was born in Newark, New Jersey on September 1, 1940 to Seth and Minerva Gibson. He lived his early childhood on Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela where his father was employed by Standard Oil of New Jersey. At the age of seven he moved to St Augustine, Florida with his family where he primarily resided for the next 70 years. He was a graduate of St. Augustine High School and attended The University of Florida before joining the National Guard. For over thirty years John enjoyed a career working in the motor carrier (trucking) industry managing various aspects of the industry from operations to regulatory law. He was an advocate for his employees and was highly thought of in the workplace. He was a supporter of Human Rights Watch, ACLU, The Southern Poverty Law Center, Doctors Without Borders, Reporters Without Borders and Amnesty International. He was married to Marvelyn Pacetti Gibson for 22 years. They raised three daughters of which he said that he was always very grateful to have in his life. He was later married to Nell Smith Gibson and his family grew to include two step-sons, of whom he was also very proud. John was a voracious reader and enjoyed books on theories of quantum physics, economics, climate change and the great works of William Shakespeare. He was a non-judgemental, independent thinker with a good sense of humor. He cared little for material possessions and just liked to have a fresh pot of coffee, a good book, and a few Bic mechanical pencils by his side. In the most recent decades, he enjoyed traveling by train across America and Canada, enjoying the landscape, having wine and a meal in the dining car, and stopping over in various cities while also visiting his daughters, grandchildren, and niece. He is survived by his daughters, Melissa (Ashley Carter) Gibson of St. Augustine, FL; Allison Severns (Ryan) of Belmont, NC; and Erin Bryers (Micah) of Belgrade, MT, four grandchildren, Drayton and Cormac Severns and Liam and Marah Bryers, and sister Jo O’Connell of St. Augustine, FL. He is preceded in death by brothers Robert and Gerald Gibson. John takes his next journey on the infinite rails into the quantum world and he will be dearly missed. Per his wishes a memorial service will not be held. ”Life is too short to be taken seriously” - Oscar Wilde “I had a pretty good ride. Thank you” - John Gibson In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Community Hospice and Palliative Care. St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

John Anthony Gibson

September 1, 1940 - June 11, 2020