James Earl Gibson
April 11, 1944 – April 17, 2025
James Earl Gibson, age 81 of Bossier City, ascended to his Heavenly home
on Thursday, April 17, 2025. He was born on Tuesday, April 11, 1944 in
Anniston, Alabama. James devoted his life to God, his Country, and every
bit of his heart to his beloved family.
He enlisted in the Army in 1962. Following his Basic Training, and Infantry
Advanced Individual Training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and Airborne School at
Fort Benning, Georgia. His initial assignment was to the 101st Airborne
Division where he rose in rank and responsibility from Private to Sergeant
and Squad Leader.
In 1967, Sergeant Gibson deployed for his first tour in Vietnam where
although only a sergeant, he frequently served as platoon sergeant. On 8
June 1967, his squad made heavy enemy contact. Sergeant Gibson was
able to pull the injured point man back to safety and returned to assist
another wounded soldier when he himself was severely wounded. For his
actions he was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” for Valor. Promoted while
recovering from his wounds, Staff Sergeant Gibson then served at Fort
Gordon, Georgia and Fort Polk preparing soldiers for Vietnam. Selected for
Sergeant First Class with only seven years in the Army, he returned to
Vietnam as an Advisor for the Vietnamese Army.
Upon return from Vietnam, Sergeant First Class Gibson graduated from Drill
Sergeant School becoming a Drill Instructor at Fort Polk. In 1973, having
served as the Ranger class first sergeant throughout, he graduated from
Ranger School as the Distinguished Honor Graduate.
In March of 1974, Sergeant First Class Gibson was among the first
noncommissioned officers selected for the original cadre in forming the first
ranger battalion to be activated since World War II. As a Platoon Sergeant
in the 1st Ranger Battalion, he guided his platoon in the transition from
formation to the initial combat certification. The 1 st Ranger Battalion
experience ultimately changed the way the Army trained.
Subsequently, in 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii, he served as the
Noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge of the division’s RECONDO School and
after promotion to Master Sergeant as Company First Sergeant in 1st
Battalion, 14th Infantry. With the Army’s renewed emphasis on enhancing
the reserve components, Master Sergeant Gibson was assigned as the
Senior Enlisted Advisor for the 143rd Battalion (Airborne) in the Texas Army
National Guard. Following the Sergeants Major Academy, he became the
First Sergeant in the 9th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Washington. Upon
his promotion, Sergeant Major Gibson became the Sergeant Major of the Florida Ranger Camp. In 1982, he became the Command Sergeant Major, 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry, 172d Infantry Brigade in Alaska. His final
active duty assignment was as Commandant of Alaska’s Noncommissioned
Officers Academy until his retirement from the Army in 1984 culminating
over twenty-two years of active service.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star with “V” and Purple
Heart. In 1996, Command Sergeant Major Gibson was appointed to the
Governor’s Military Advisory Committee for the State of Louisiana. James
Earl “Hoot” Gibson was inducted into the US Army Ranger Hall of Fame in
2016. James served his country proudly.
James enjoyed watching football, hunting, and playing golf in his free-time.
He loved his family! His wife, his children, grandchildren, and great
grandchildren were everything to him and he loved spending his time
making memories with them and his beloved dog, Lizzy.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 61 years, Mickey L. Gibson;
sons, James Boyd Gibson and Dana, Gafe J. Gibson; grandchildren, Shae
Newton and Cody, Benjamin Gibson and Emily, Conner Gibson; great
grandchildren, Kynnedy, Caroline, and Claire Newton; brothers in law,
Kenneth Wyatt and Sammy Stevenson; niece, Tracie Brown and Steven;
nephew, Keith Wyatt and Kim; a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.
James was preceded in death by his parents, Wayland and Elizabeth
Earnestine (Harper) Gibson; sister, Gaylon (Gibson) Wyatt.
Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, April 24, 2025 at Hodge
Baptist church from 10:00 AM until time of service. Funeral services are set
to begin at 2:00 PM with Rev. Thomas Ussery officiating. Burial will follow in
Salem Cemetery, near Eros, under the direction of Southern-Edmonds
Funeral Home.
Serving the family as pallbearers will be Donnie Arnold, Benjamin Gibson, Danny Wane Hughes, Patrick McGovern, Cody Newton, Nathan Newton, and Mike Brown. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Burgess, Ronnie Carson, Art Cobb, Thomas Luderback, Dean Mitchell, and Jim Perkins.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations in honor of James Earl Gibson be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org or to Sua Sponte Foundation at suaspontefoundation.org.