James Edward Gibson
Aug. 18, 1922-July 4, 2017
Woodside, California

James E. "Jim" Gibson, age 94, died peacefully at his Woodside home on July 4th, 2017, in the company of his longterm companion and cherished pets.

James was born in Ardmore, Oklahoma, on August 18th, 1922, to Lafayette Gibson and Kate Neff. After graduating Ardmore High School in 1940, he joined the United States Army Intelligence in the South Pacific Theatre.

Following his military service, where he had learned to speak fluent Japanese, James continued his education at the University of Michigan, achieving a master's degree in literature.

His degree brought him to New York where he worked in the publishing industry. After moving to California, he shifted careers and worked in real estate.

James loved to travel the world. At various times he lived in Hawaii, Mexico, New York, and San Francisco. Finally he settled in Woodside, California, where he built his home and gardens and continued with real estate.

In his retirement, James turned to philanthropy. He supported schools in rural Mexico. Locally he supported the Woodside Library, the Lucille Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford, and the Peninsula Open Space Trust, Saint Francis Center, among others.

He is survived by his longtime companion Bengamin Arreguin of 31 years, niece Sue Anne Middleton, nephew Bill Hatch, two grand-nephews, Matthew Hatch & Brent James Hatch, and one grandniece, Geri Lynn Walsh.

James enjoyed his time spent with close friends, his pets, gardening, and playing bridge. He will be forever missed by all his family and friends.

Tags: veteran