Franklin K. Gibson |
| Posted 2009-12-29 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Sunday, January 26, 2003 Franklin K. Gibson died Jan. 24, 2003, at his home in Mesa, Arizona from complications associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease). He was 72 years old. He was born in Los Angeles, California on July 7, 1930, the son of John Franklin Gibson, Jr. and Beulah Pomeroy Gibson. Franklin graduated from Mesa High School in 1948, and served as a missionary in Argentina for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints from 1950 to 1952. After returning from his mission, he entered the College of Law at the University of Arizona, and graduated in 1956. While at the University of Arizona, he met his eternal sweetheart, Myrna Tanner. They were married on June 20, 1958, in the Arizona Temple. Franklin was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, and served in many leadership callings, including as Bishop of the Mesa 13th Ward and President of the Mesa Stake. In 1966, he was called to be the first President of the Andes South Mission in La Paz, Bolivia. He served as a temple sealer for 13 years, and had the opportunity to marry his five children in the Mesa Arizona Temple. He later worked as a temple ordinance worker, and, at the time of his death, was serving as Patriarch in the Mesa Kimball Stake. Franklin was outgoing and made friends easily. He was an avid gardener who enjoyed sharing his flowers and produce with friends, neighbors, clients and acquaintances. He especially enjoyed growing roses and tomatoes. He also was a long-time member and past President of the Mesa Sertoma Club. In 2002, he was named Sertoman of the Year, and the Club named its annual essay competition after him, designating it as the Franklin K. Gibson Constitutional Essay Scholarship Award. He was a certified bankruptcy specialist, and practiced law until his death. Franklin delighted in helping his clients with their legal problems and with the challenges of everyday life. Since 1985, he had practiced with the firm of Gibson, Matheson, Lalliss & Friedlander, LLP and its predecessor entities. In 2001, he was named as one of the Arizona Bar Foundation's Top 50 Pro Bono Attorneys. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2003 at the Mesa Arizona Kimball Stake Center, 1266 South 32nd Street, Mesa. Viewing will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 at Meldrum Mortuary, 52 North Macdonald Street, Mesa, and on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Church. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Myrna Tanner Gibson, his children, Scott and Rebecca Gibson, Phyllis and Wayne Clement, Kathleen and Tim Carroll, Elizabeth and Tui Taufa, and Paul and Shellie Gibson, and sixteen grandchildren and his sister, Jean Porter. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Perpetual Education Fund or the ALS Foundation. Courtesy of Pat Wilson. |
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