Raymond I. Gibson, BHS 1960

Raymond I. Gibson, BHS 1960


Herald and News (Klamath Falls, OR) - Tuesday, November 30, 2010


Raymond I. Gibson, 68, passed away on Nov. 24, 2010, in Klamath Falls, Ore., from mesothelioma (asbestos cancer). At Raymond's request , there will be no formal funeral services. A memorial service w i l l take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, at the Keno Fire Department Recreation Hall.


Raymond was born on Oct. 8, 1942, in Glendale, Calif., to Raymond and Ova (Hodges) Gibson. He graduated from Burbank High School in 1960 and became a journeyman plumber in 1966. In 1971, he married Donna Jean Wragg at Knott's Berry Farm Chapel of the Reflections in Buena Park, Calif. Two children were born to this union, Gregory Gibson and Cheri (Gibson) Englestadter.


In 1976 , the family moved from Newport Beach, Calif., to Keno, Ore., and opened a restaurant, The Deli, in Klamath Falls with their close family friends Mary and Gary Williams. In 1979, the family moved to Bonanza, Ore., and resided there until 1997 when they moved back to Keno, where he resided until his death.


Raymond returned to plumbing work in 1979, working for a number of plumbing companies (Baldwin Plumbing, Stites Plumbing, B & D Plumbing). In 1983, he went to work as the plumber at Oregon Institute of Technology and retired from there in 1997.


Raymond enjoyed traveling around the state of Oregon and the Oregon Coast in their motor home, bowling with the RV Club on Wednesdays, and snowmobiling, but electronics and computers were his love. He was a member of the Klamath Basin Snowdrifters and the Pelican RV Club. An Amateur Radio operator since 1972, h i s c a l l si g n s were W B6BW F (California) and W B70K X (Oregon).


Survivors include his wife, Donna; his son, Gregory Gibson and his daughter, Cheri Gibson-Englestadter, both of Klamath Falls; grandchildren, Joshua, Carly, Whitney and Cai Gibson and Blake and Priscilla Englestadter; two brothers, Donald Gibson of Manassas, Va., and Francis (Shirley) Gibson of San Diego, Calif.; sisters-in-law, Lynda (Jeff) Arimond of Fountain Valley, Calif., Debbie (Rick) Armijo of Yorba Linda, Calif., Kathy Bolkovatz of Orange, Calif., and Laurie (Eddie) Wragg of Corona, Calif.; numerous nieces and nephews; uncle, Gene (Joy) Boyer; "Favorite Cousin" Ron (Sherry and Eva) Jackson; and "Adopted Big Brother," Clyde (Jean) Freed.


He will be missed by all of his family and many friends. Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, a nephew, Gregory Eugene Gibson, sister-i n-law, Viola Gibson, and mother-in-law, and father-inlaw Frances and Donald Wragg. The family would like to give a "special thank you" to Dr. Jon McKellar and Klamath Hospice for their loving care of Raymond during his illness.


In lieu of flowers, the family is asking you to give to your favorite charity or the Klamath Hospice. Disposition will be by Pyramid Cremations. Davenport's Chapel of the Good Shepherd, directors, now located at 2680 Memorial Drive, Klamath Falls, Ore., 541-883-3458, is in charge of the arrangements.