Donny Gibson

Donny Robert Gibson, 69, of Jonesboro, passed away as a result of a single-vehicle accident on February 17, 2021.

Donny was born on July 14,1951, to Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Gibson of Jonesboro.

As a teenager, Donny transferred from Nettleton to Valley View as a high school junior and was a multi-sport athlete who excelled in basketball, baseball and the high jump. He graduated with honors from Valley View in 1969.

Donny began working at the age of 8 in the farming fields alongside his father. He continued along that career path to the ripe old age of 13. In 1964, Gibson’s Conoco opened its doors at 1024 Gee Street. Donny continued in the family business in various locations until 2002 when he decided to close the business and join the Jonesboro Sanitation Department. He was promoted to director of the department in 2014 and remained in that role until his passing.

His love for sports and his unparalleled work ethic led him to community involvement. He enjoyed playing, coaching and officiating in local and regional sports programs. His involvement in the Jonesboro softball association led him to a board position and ultimately the board association presidency in 1981. I t was in that capacity that he realized the growth potential for softball programs in our community. He knew that two fields located at the Craighead County Fairgrounds were not sufficient. With the support of his board and Mayor Neil Stallings, a land lease was secured, and he led the charge to develop and build the Jonesboro Southside Softball Complex. Donny remained active with the softball association until 2001.

Donny had quite a sense of humor — equal parts dry and corny. Sometimes he was the only one that got the punchline to his jokes. You never knew if he was going to show up with a touching gift or put a whoopee cushion under your seat, but he had a grace and a charm that always left a smile on the faces around him.

Donny is preceded in death by his brother Michael “Goose” Gibson. One of his many blessings is the love of a large family and number of dear friends

Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Gibson; wife of 51 years Gayle Gibson; son Chris Gibson (Tina); granddaughter Shelby Gibson; two brothers, Roger Gibson (Dawn), and Ronnie Shaver (Teresa); sister Karen Carter (Cheryl Frazier); and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Visitation will be held February 26, 2021, at Emerson’s Funeral home from 1 to 3 p.m. with celebration of life to follow in the chapel. Graveside will be for family only at Pine Log Cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers include his Sage Meadows golf crew, Jonesboro Softball family and friends, The Jonesboro Sanitation Department, and the 1969 Valley View High School basketball team.

In lieu of plants and flowers, the family asks for gifts in kind to Arkansas Children’s Hospital, 1 Childrens Way, Little Rock, AR, 72202 or The Arkansas Family Health Foundation, Box 497, Augusta, AR 72006 .