Eldon Hoot Gibson

Celebration of Life Service for Eldon D. "Hoot" Gibson will be held on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Oxford, Nebraska with Reverend Kenton Birtell officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Oxford Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Oxford American Legion Post # 219 in conjunction with the United States Army Military Honors Team.

Eldon Duane "Hoot" Gibson, 88 years of age, of Holdrege, Nebraska,
formerly of Oxford, passed away on Friday, May 6, 2016 at Holdrege Memorial Homes in Holdrege, surrounded by his loving family. Eldon was born June 22, 1927 at Stamford, Nebraska the youngest of four children born to John Wallace and Frona Isabel (Norwood) Gibson. He received his education from Oxford Public Schools.

He was inducted into the United States Coast Guard as a Merchant Marine at 16 years old. Hoot had travelled around the world twice. He was docked next to the USS Missouri (BB-63), in Japan, as the Peace Treaty for World War II, was signed. He was honorably discharged on August 15, 1945 and then was drafted into the United States Army on December 7, 1950, while his ship was docked in Korea. He served with the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He then transferred to the Army Reserves in 1952 and was honorably discharged on August 29, 1956.

On June 10, 1952 he was united in marriage to Carol V. Maaske in Holdrege and they were blessed with four children: Gary, Joella, John, and Stacee. The family made their home in Oxford. Hoot was employed by Industrial Pipelines in Holdrege, as an area superintendent, later owning and operating the 3G's Convenience Store in Oxford and was a truck driver for Cargill, until his retirement in 2009. In July of 2013, Hoot began to make his home at Holdrege Memorial Homes, after his health began to fail.

He was a member of the Oxford American Legion and the South Platte United Chamber of Commerce. Hoot was a Jack-of-All-Trades. He enjoyed Husker Football, his tractor, camping, driving truck, and maintaining his lawn and garden. But most of all, his pride and joy was his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be remembered for his fun, loving spirit, his contagious smile, his sense of humor and his zest to live life to the fullest.

Hoot was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Noel Gibson and wife, Ardis "Gracie"; and two sisters, Sara Reynolds and husband, Art and Leora Weatherwax; and a son, Gary Gibson in 2015.

He leaves to celebrate his life: his wife of 63 years, Carol of Holdrege; three children: Jody Curtis and her husband, Galen of Omaha, Nebraska, John Gibson and his wife, Debbie of Ada, Oklahoma, and Stacee Stabenow and her husband, Shane of Holdrege; daughter-in-law, Jeri of Lincoln, Nebraska; 15 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

There will be no visitation as the family is honoring Hoot's wish for cremation.

A memorial has been established in Hoot's honor and will be established at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford is in charge of the arrangements.