Perry Gibson

Perry F. Gibson went quietly to be with his Lord on Feb. 6, 2008 at his home as he was surrounded by his family. He was born May 13, 1918; the son of Vera New Grimes Gibson and Perry Henry Gibson of Forest, MS.
He was a graduate of Forest High School, Coyne Electric School and had completed studies in advertising and sales management from Lassalle Ext. University.
He was retired from service with the Mississippi Power Company that included management of local operations in Richton, MS and his final fourteen years as manager of operations in Bay St. Louis.
With five years of active military service, forty months were spent in the Southwest Pacific during World War II. He graduated from the Signal Section of Officers Candidate School in Ipswich, Australia. Assigned to the 5th Air Force, he attained the rank of Captain. His service included the campaigns of Papua, New Guinea, Southern Philippines, Northern Philippines, and the occupation of both Okinawa and Japan. He organized and was the first Commanding Officer of the National Guard Unit in Richton.
In 1972 he received a five year appointment to the State Park Commission by Governor Bill Waller. During his time, Buccaneer State Park was constructed and the Wave Pool authorized. In 1976, he served as Chairman. Commissioned a Colonel and Aide-de-Camp in both the Waller and Finch Administrations, he was honored with an award for """"Meritorious Service to the State of Mississippi"""" by Governor Finch.
Other honors included an award of """"Honorable and Distinguished Citizenship"""" by the City of Waveland and being selected as the """"Outstanding Citizen of the Year"""" by the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce in 1981.
An active Christian, he was ordained as a Baptist Deacon at Richton and had served as a Chairman of the Deacon body and of the Trustees of the First Baptist Church of Bay St. Louis.
His past civic involvement included: President of the Richton Rotary Club, Chairman of the Trustees of the Richton Separate School District, member of the Perry County Rural Area Development Committee, Disaster Chairman of the Perry County Red Cross, handling the relief for victims of a record flood of Leaf River and a killer tornado in the Brewer Community.
He was a Director of the Bay St. Louis Rotary Club, two time President of the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, a Vice President of the Governing Board of the Hancock Medical Center, a member of the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission and the Hancock County member to the Gulf Regional Wastewater Authority.
His fraternal affiliations included membership in the Mississippi Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Sam Davis Camp of the Sons of the Confederate Veterans, and a lifetime member of the 31st Infantry (Dixie) Division Association. He is listed in the Bicentennial Issue of the Notable Americans.
He was the author of a privately printed book titled """"God's Apprentice"""" that contains eighty original, short, though-provoking and inspirational messages he had delivered before various audiences. An autobiography titled """"The Draftee"""", detailing his years of military service, has been distributed to his descendants and is copyrighted for future publishing.
He leaves his wife, Bobbye Palmer Gibson, 10 days short of their 67th anniversary, and four children: Stanton Grimes Gibson and Jody of Helena, MS; Angela Gibson Jaildagian of New Smyrna Beach, FL; Paige Gibson McArthur Balasubramaniam and Ravi of San Francisco, CA and Leisa Gibson Skrmetti Blackwell and Tom of Charlotte, NC; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Also four step-grandchildren and nine step-great-grandchildren whom he loved as his own.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Peggy Mapp, all of Forest, MS and one grandson, Paul M. Skrmetti, III of Biloxi, MS.
Visitation will be 6-9 p.m., Friday, February 8, 2008 at the RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11213 Hwy. 49N, Gulfport. The Celebration of Life Service will be 10 a.m., Saturday, February 9, 2008 at the First Baptist Church of Bay St. Louis, where friends may visit one hour prior. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. at Eastern Cemetery in Forest, MS.
In lieu of flowers, Mr. Gibson requested that donations be sent to the New Construction Fund of First Baptist Church, 141 Main Street, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520.