James D. Gibson

James Dennis Gibson, 93, left this world on March 15, 2021. He entered the world on September 26, 1927 to Jim and Hetty Gibson, deceased. He joined the US Coast Guard in 1945, and served during WW II. James also attended Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa and joined the FBI in 1950 and served in Chicago Division, New Haven Division, Hartford RA, New York Division, and Omaha Division, Waterloo RA. He married Phyllis B. Hanrahan (deceased) on May 12, 1956. Together they raised 6 children: Denise (Randy) Speiss, Steven (Kate) Gibson, Matthew (Jackie) Gibson, Kathryn (Steve) Smart, Amy (Steve) Davidson, and Suzanne Paiser. All surviving. He is also survived by 23 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren on the way in 2021. Because of them there is now a vast network of interconnected families across the country whose continued friendship is their legacy. All signs of love. He retired in 1978 in order to farm full time in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He was immensely proud of his service to the country in the military and FBI.
Always an Iowan at heart, Dad loved farm living and animals, sitting on the driveway with a cigar on a quiet summer evening, baseball, football, and basketball... particularly Hawkeye style, traveling the entire country and parts of the world and happily returning to his quiet existence. He even loved watching my mom come out to help him clear a tractor from the considerable mud or bringing the men in for a delicious lunch during the harvest. He loved working on new things and creating something useful from virtually nothing. He loved his work with the FBI and lived it with great integrity, as he did everything. His closest friends remain those with whom he served.
He grew stronger and increased his considerable faith in God through the many trials life presented to him. Losing his farms in the 80's hurt so much, but he recognized that God always provided even opening a job at the racetrack judging the winning greyhounds. Phyllis's prolonged illness gave him a new appreciation of her inner strength. Then losing Phyllis, the love of his life, almost broke him, but God provided dear friends, Kathleen and Nancy, to guide him back to joy. As time became more abundant in his life, he began attending daily Mass and praying the Rosary for many things but especially his family. He loved sitting in a prayerful church with his dear ones after morning Mass to pray the Rosary. The kids never heard him raise his voice, even after crashing the car or getting a car stuck in the snow on a frigid night. He saw an amazing period of history from riding a horse to a one room school house, the Depression, WW II, America's love of cars and interstates, Moon Landings, television, cell phones, and his beloved Iowa Hawkeyes winning the Rose Bowl. His 93 years were lived well and people were better for having known him. Peace resided in him, and now he resides in peace.
A visitation will take place on Friday, March 26, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 3910 N. Rockton Road, Rockford, Illinois 61103. Rosary at 10:30 at St Bernadette Catholic Church, 2400 Bell Ave, Rockford, Illinois 61103 with a Funeral Mass to follow at 11:00 a.m. The following day, Saturday March 27, 2021 a burial will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Wesley, Iowa. To send online condolences, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com



In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation to one of the many charities JIm and Phyllis supported. The links and instructions for two are listed below.
Loras College:
https://alumni.loras.edu/giving

Select the drop down box which reads "Loras Fund" and select "Other" which opens a blank box. Fill in "In Honor of Jim Gibson" and proceed with your donation.

Ray of Hope Ovarian Cancer Research:
https://secure.givelively.org/donate/ray-of-hope-for-ovarian-cancer-cure-inc/james-d-gibson-memoriam

RusticHope.org

In order to direct the contribution to the women’s clinic, please enter “Jim Gibson memorial” in the additional information section.