Jimmy C. “Hoot” Gibson, 89
Funeral services for Jimmy C. "Hoot" Gibson, 89, of Seymour, were held Aug. 8, 2024, at the First Baptist Church in Seymour with burial in the Seymour Masonic Cemetery with full military honors and Masonic rites. Pastor John Williams, Pastor Jay Adrian and Pastor Shawn Wilkerson officiated the service.
He died Aug. 4, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, with his family by his side.
Hoot was born Dec. 31, 1934, in Alexander, Arkansas, to Raymond and Maxine (Elmore) Gibson.
He grew up in Alexander, Arkansas. After high school, he went to Flint, Michigan, where he worked in auto manufacturing before enlisting in the Army.
On July 3, 1957, Hoot married Patsy “Pat” Jane Williams in Hernando, Mississippi, and they had four children: Rocky, Shelly, Genia and Robin. After their marriage, they moved to Washington state where Hoot served with the United States Army. In 1959, they moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Hoot was a steam fitter for 13 or 14 years. Then, in September of 1973, they moved to Ava and purchased Lynch Meat Packing. They changed the business name to Gibson Packing and moved to Seymour, where they enjoyed visiting with customers from all over including many in Ozark County. To this day, Hoot's family continues the 51 year operation of the business in Seymour.
Hoot was a Christian and a member of the First Baptist Church in Seymour. He was also a 59-year member of the Hazelwood Masonic Lodge Number 459 in Seymour and a member of the Shriners in Springfield. His hobbies were work, visiting, playing cards, fishing and telling jokes.
Hoot was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather. His legacy of love and leadership will live on in his family.
Hoot is survived by his children: Rocky Gibson of Rogersville, Shelly and Mark Nichols of Seymour, Genia and Faron Rowe of Gentryville and Robin and Jason MacPherson of Mountain Grove; 11 grandchildren: Chad, Victoria, Tyrell, Paige, Waylon, Sarah, Grant, Jimmy, Jozey, Sam and Gus; 16 great-grandchildren: Hunter, Kambery, Macoy, Dominica, Kyle, Keely, Hendrix, Presley, Lainey, Devin, Wyatt, Tehel, Bailey, JW, Creek and Lilly; and six great-great-grandchildren. Hoot is also survived by his brothers: Max and Ardel of Wisconson, Harry and Polly of Arkansas, Tony of Arkansas, Bill and Carol of Arkansas, and Ray and Jeannie of Arkansas; and a sister, Ann Huckabay of Arkansas; along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Pat, in 2018; and his grandson, Bo Shawn.
Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital. Services are being conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava. Online condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneralhome.com.