David Gibson, age 82 of Vienna, was born August 20, 1941, at Sturgeon, Missouri, a son of Robert Herschel and Ada Pearl (Welch) Gibson and passed in his sleep at his home in Vienna, Missouri, Tuesday, February 27, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

He was united in marriage on May 29, 1959, in Parowan, Utah, to Janet R. Warwick and to this union 3 daughters were born.

During his working life, Dave was employed with General Motors, Anaheim, California, for 30 years, retiring on April 1, 1990.  He enjoyed his career as a forklift driver and went on to help others as a Substance Abuse Counselor.  Dave was known as "Hoot" and really enjoyed helping his fellow coworkers.  After he retired, he picked up roots in California and moved to Colorado where he lived for 10 years.  While in Colorado, he and Jan worked at Ridgeway Park and received several awards and letters recognizing their quality of work and friendliness shown to park visitors.  In 2000 he moved to Vienna, Missouri, where he worked for Maries Manor as a Maintenance Supervisor for several years and then at the NAPA Auto Parts store.

Dave's greatest joys after family were hunting dove and pheasant in Mexico, bass fishing, golfing, road trips, and he absolutely loved participating in fishing tournaments and volunteering at the Vienna Gun Club.   He also enjoyed Sunday lunch with family that included playing Skip-Bo.  Dave was never without a smile or a friend.

Dave was diagnosed with cancer in March of 2023 and began a newly approved cancer treatment that prolonged his life for another year.  There was significant reduction in the cancer cells early on, however, once he contracted COVID-19 in December it was difficult to bounce back. He loved the medical staff at the Missouri University Hospital and Ellis Fischel Cancer Center in Columbia, Missouri.  He was a blast to be around and had everyone in stitches.  He was placed into Hospice in mid-February and for one and a half weeks he was able to visit with family and friends.  Dave fought hard in his journey with his #1 goal to go fishing.  He's now in a better place with a fishing rod and tackle box in hand headed for the boat on the river.

Those left to celebrate the life of Dave include his wife of 64 years Jan Gibson of the home near Vienna; his daughters, Deborah Gibson of Moorpark, California, Rebecca Bixby and husband, Robert of Camdenton, and Leona Gibson of Stuart, Florida; his sister, Barbara Hladkey of Freeburg; his brother, Richard Hoy of North Las Vegas, Nevada; 3 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and many more relatives and friends.

The human body is a valuable, irreplaceable resource in the training of physicians, and in Dave's continued spirit of giving, he has generously donated his earthly body to the MU School of Medicine for medical education – Gift of Body.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. David Gibson are suggested to American Cancer Society https://donate.cancer.org/ or in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box 250, Vienna, Missouri 65582.

Online condolences may be shared with the family and friends of Mr. David R. Gibson at www.birminghammartinfuneralhomes