GREENSBORO — Reverend Wade J. (Tommy) Gibson, 84, of Greensboro passed away on December 2, 2012 at the home of his daughter following a courageous battle after years of declining health.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. at Forbis and Dick Guilford Chapel on Wednesday, December 5, 2012. Interment will follow at Westminster Gardens.
Wade was born May 8, 1928 in Greensboro, North Carolina. He was the son of the late Samuel and Mary Gibson. Wade attended Rankin High School before joining the U.S. Navy on his seventeenth birthday. He served aboard the U.S.S. Rochester during WWII. After serving in the Navy, he joined the Greensboro Police Department in 1950. He retired with the rank of Captain in 1978. During his years with the GPD, he graduated from the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville, the FBI Academy at Quantico, Virginia and Guilford College where he received a degree in Criminal Justice. After retiring, Wade graduated from Southeastern Baptist Seminary with a Master of Theology degree. He served at several churches in North and South Carolina. He also served as Chaplain of the Asheboro Prison Unit for ten years. He was Lt. Col. in the Civil Air Patrol serving as Chaplain at the time of his death. Wade was a member of Parkway Baptist Church and a 32nd degree Mason at Revolution Lodge.
Wade was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Ramona Reynolds Gibson; brothers, Cleveland, Quinton, Percy, Sam Jr., Raymond, Bob Gibson and sister Violet Talley all of Greensboro, and sister Betty Martin of Georgetown, Texas.
Wade is survived by his daughter Mary Brewer and husband Jim of Greensboro, and his son Thomas Gibson and wife Sheri of Richmond, Texas. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, Jonathan Brewer (Megan), Melissa Robinson (Jason) of Greensboro and Chloe, Sophie and Killian Gibson of Richmond, TX; and great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Aiden Brewer. He also leaves behind a brother, Larry Gibson (Nina) of Liberty and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Forbis and Dick Guilford Chapel, 5926 W. Friendly Ave., Greensboro, NC 27410.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Riddle Evangelistic Association, 978 Jessup Grove Church Road, Pilot Mountain, North Carolina 27401 and Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, North Carolina 27405.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to the Blumenthal Jewish Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Wesley Long Hospital of Greensboro and to the wonderful staff of Hospice and Palliative Care, Wesley Long Hospital of Greensboro whose patience, kindness and gentleness through this journey will never be forgotten.
Online condolences may be directed to www.forbisanddick.com
