Ken Gibson

Kenneth James Gibson was born to Bert F. Gibson & Teelia Dodd Gibson in Freewater, Oregon on April 7, 1923. He died on July 20, 2014 at the age of 91. He was the youngest of three children and the only son of Bert & Teelia Gibson. Raised on a farm, he learned at an early age value of working hard long hours, caring for animals and repairing machinery.

The only way to get to school was on horseback---4 miles one way on his faithful horse, Old Lady. Grade school was completed in Lowden, WA and high school completed in Walla Walla. Old Lady went with him into the sixth grade and then Smoky provided transportation until his sister was old enough to drive the family car. Ken graduated in 1941 from Walla Walla Hi and after a short summer stint on a wheat farm joined the Army Air Corp in December of 1941. He spent 4 years in the service & was trained as an airplane mechanic & later as an electrician on the B52. Ken worked on this plane, the KC135 and was crew chief on the A20 airplane. He was stationed in Mississippi and New Guinea. While in Mississippi he met & married Warrene Jeffers and from this union Ken's only child was born, Judy Gibson Spalding.

After the war, Ken returned to WA State and worked for Boeing Aircraft Co. for 7 years; first in Seattle and then moving with Boeing to Moses Lake in 1955. He was lead man and then supervisor at the Boeing plant on B 52's & KC 135's. From 1959 to 1979 Ken farmed in the Moses Lake area; farming was always his first love. His first farm, bought in 1959 was in Block 40. He did custom work on the side & soon was able to farm full time. He had the first harrowbed in the basin & picked up many a bale of hay for other farmers. From 1970-1974 he farmed 1200 acres for an absentee partner. His last farm was in the Royal City area with 620 acres planted in alfalfa in 1974. This acreage was then rented to other farmers & eventually sold as Ken prepared for retirement.

When Ken sold his farm he bought & sold farm machinery until 1981 at which time he became semi retired. During his younger days he built 2 houses for himself & built numerous shops & farm buildings while farming. He farmed for 25 years.

In 1979 Ken met Artagae (Artie) Williams while motorcycling with mutual friends. She became the love of his life. They wed in 1980 & spent many years together motorcycling, square dancing & farming.

Ken leaves behind his wife, Artie, daughter Judy Spalding, step daughter Celia Williams & 4 grandchildren.

Ken's viewing will be held at Kayser's Chapel on Wednesday, July 23rd between 12 noon & 5 p.m. Please sign the online guestbook or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com.