Raymond L. Gibson, Sr.

Raymond L. Gibson, Sr. was born on June 20, 1942, in Columbus, Ohio to John and Wetona Gibson. He grew up on Miami Ave in Old Towne East.

Raymond graduated from East High School in Columbus, Ohio. He went into the U.S. Airforce where he served his country for 4 years as a teletype operator and was honorably discharged. After leaving the Airforce he began working at Western Union as a teletype operator. It was around this time that he met and married Eliner Joyce (Dudley) on May 10, 1968. During that time he worked at RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company. The Lord blessed them with 53 years of marriage and to their union, they have 3 children. He was extremely devoted to his family.

Ray was baptized into the Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist church in 1973 where he began his walk with God. Because of his conviction, he was called to the colporteur ministry, selling Adventist books and spreading the word of God where he befriended Vernon Cartwright (Lil Joe). He was very dedicated to his church family as well. He served in various roles in the church such as Sabbath School Superintendent, Sabbath School teacher, and Usher Ministry Leader to name a few. There are too many church friends to name but some of them include brothers in ministry: Lucius Sullivan, Sr., Melvin Bethea, Alvin Foster, James Dowell, David Harmon, Frank Hale Jr. (deceased), Charles Glenn, Donnie Cantrell, Sr., and Joe Mitchell. He obtained many awards one of which was the Ephesus Adventist Man of the Year.

Ray worked for Pop Reeves in Janitorial and soon wanted his own business. He started a janitorial service that blossomed into a prosperous business. Through his business, he developed many associates and good friends. Some of the relationships built were with Miles & McClullan, Ruscilli, McDaniels, Gilbane, Duke, Turner, Smoot, and Reiner. As a result, his magnetic personality afforded him heaven-sent brothers in Dick Holstein, Dwayne Holstein, Roger Holstein, Donald Klopfenstein, Jeff Werner, Russ Drummond, Lonnie Miles, Dan Moncrief, John Kenny and Robert Henry Sr., their friendship spanning over 30 years.

Ray began his bout with Depressive Dementia in 2013. Even though he was a patient at the Alzheimer’s center, he would go in other patients’ rooms, get on his knees and pray for them. He loved the church so much during the early stages he was trying to complete the task of painting the church ultimately his son finished for him because he was adamant about finishing it in time for the Sabbath. He fought a long and tedious battle, but on June 5th, 2021 succumbed to this disease. Ray Gibson ended this life, he fought the good fight, finished his course and our Savior gave him rest.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Wetona Gibson, Edward Dawkins, stepfather, Hattie Cromwell, maternal grandmother, and sister, Carol Gibson. He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife, Joyce, children, Janet Gibson, Raymond L. Gibson Jr., and Cealana (Paul) Crockett. Grandchildren: Jillian Gibson, Sherman L. Moorer, Gabrielle Ross, Cealana-Jennifer Ross, Trevon Ceasar, Alana Crockett, Xavier Gibson, Laila Gibson, and great-grandson, Julian Nii Atiapah.

Visitation 10:00am and Funeral Service 11:00 AM Friday, June 18, 2021 at Columbus Ephesus Seventh Day Adventist Church, 3650 Sunbury Road. Private Interment at Dayton National Cemetery. Ministry of Comfort entrusted to MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE EAST, 5456 E. Livingston Ave.