Hal R Gibson

Graveside Services and Interment for Hal R. Gibson will be held in the Orleans Cemetery at Orleans, Nebraska on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. with his son-in-law, Mr. Jim Maloney officiating.  Military honors will be provided by the Alma Fay Cady American Legion Post #118 in conjunction with the United States Army Funeral Honors Team.

Hal Ray Gibson, 96 years of age, of Alma, Nebraska, passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at the Harlan County Health Systems in Alma.  Hal was born June 10, 1923, at Edison, Nebraska, the youngest of four children of Ray and Edna Mae (Beedle) Gibson.  He received his primary education from a rural school near Edison, and graduated from Edison High School with the class of 1940 at the age of 16.

After graduation, Hal spent the summer fishing and pulling Cottonwood trees and selling them to a buyer in South Dakota.  He then went with a good friend to Bayard, Nebraska, where they worked in the bean and potato fields, and in a beat factory.  Hal then worked from 1941-1942, with Bushman Construction at Oxford, Nebraska, building bridges between Oxford and Orleans, and one south of Arapahoe, Nebraska.

On June 13, 1942, Hal was united in marriage to Elaine May Stephens at Phillipsburg, Kansas, and to this union two daughters were born:  Andrea and Nancy.  In October of 1942, the family packed their belongings into a 1938 Ford and moved to Salinas, California, where Hal was employed by the Southern Pacific Railroad Company.

Hal served his country in the United States Army during WWII from October 6, 1943, in the European African Middle Eastern Campaign until his honorable discharge on February 4, 1946.  After his service, Hal returned to Southern Pacific Railroad, transferring to the Pacific Motor Trucking Company Department delivering freight in the Salinas area for 9 years.  He then transferred in 1955 to San Jose, California as a foreman and dispatcher until his retirement in 1982.

On November 4, 1987, Hal was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine.  After living in Campbell, California in the same house for many years, Hal moved to Penn Valley, California.  In April of 2015, Hal returned to his roots in Nebraska, and resided in Alma until his passing.

After the passing of his wife, Hal enjoyed the company of a longtime family friend, Dee Stephens for 25 years.

Hal enjoyed plenty of hobbies and crafts, keeping himself busy during his lifetime, which included his passion for restoring antique furniture.  He also enjoyed traveling throughout the years.

Besides his parents, and wife, Elaine; Hal was preceded in death by one brother, Harold Gibson; and two sisters:  Bernice Ervin; and Rachel Stearns.

He leaves to celebrate his life; his two daughters:  Andrea Maloney and her husband, Jim of Golden, Colorado; and Nancy Gibson-Hardin of Alma; four grandchildren:  Kristi Cheesman and her husband, Craig; Stacee Hancock and her husband, Bill; Lori Bradford and her husband, Miles; and Daniel Hardin and his wife, Roanne; nine great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A private family visitation will be held.

A memorial has been established in Hal's honor, and kindly suggested to The Red Cross.

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

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.