Arlo Ralph Gibson Jr., Captain, US Navy (Ret.) was born on January 4, 1943 to Arlo and Winona (Holcomb) Gibson in Lynn Haven, Florida. He passed away on September 27, 2016 at the Hospice of the Comforter in Altamonte Springs, Florida at the age of 73.
A local resident since 2005, Captain Gibson moved here after retiring as Senior Chaplain from the Parris Island United States Marine Corps Recruit Training Depot in Beaufort, South Carolina. He served in the United States Army in 1967 during the Vietnam War Era and attained the rank of Sergeant. In 1968, he attended Officer Candidate School as was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army. He served with the 3/7 Cavalry in Schweinfurt, Germany from 1968-1970. He separated from the US Army in 1970 and attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. In 1979, he applied for, and was accepted into the United States Navy Chaplain Corps. He was commissioned an Ensign and entered the United States Navy as a Staff Corps Officer Chaplain. He served in various locations throughout the world ministering to both Sailors and Marines for over two decades as a Chaplain Corps Officer and Supervisory Chaplain. During his 29 plus year career, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, three Meritorious Service Medals, three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, the Navy Unit Commendation Medal, the Fleet Marine Force Ribbon, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, four National Defense Service Medals, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, three Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, the Navy Arctic Service Ribbon, four Navy and Marine Corps Service Ribbons, the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.
Captain Gibson is preceded in death by his parents Arlo and Winona (Holcomb) Gibson. He is survived by his loving wife, Linda Gibson (Moore), of Winter Garden, Florida; daughters Elizabeth Joy Gibson, Esq. of Winter Garden, Florida and Rebekah Lynn Cribbs and her husband, Captain Donald Anthony, Navy of Honolulu, Hawaii; sister Marilyn Richard and her husband Michael of Ashville, North Carolina and grandchildren Abigail Faith Cribbs, Joshua Conner Calvin Cribbs, Lydia Grace Cribbs and Caleb Michael Cribbs.
A military funeral to honor the life of Captain Arlo Gibson, Jr. is scheduled for Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at 11:00 am at the First Baptist Church of Orlando in the Marie Williams Chapel.
Friends and family are invited to share a memory and sign his guestbook below.
Linda, I am not sure you will remember me, but I certainly remember Frank and you. He was probably the most inspiring minister I have ever heard. Bert and I looked forward to his sermons and your musical talents on
Parris Island every Sunday. Bert passed away in January of this year, but I know he is in heaven and I feel sure he and Frank we see each other there. I pray that peace comes to you soon and just knowing where they are will make it a little easier. Take care of yourself. Kaye
Dear Linda & family, Roy & I are so sorry for your loss. Pastor Ralph was an amazing man, friend and the best Pastor Shell Point ever had. We missed him and you also when You left. I loved h. is sermons and story time for the children. God bless you and your family. Our prayers are with all. Roy and Sandy Hankins.
Mrs. Gibson, your family will always have a special place in my heart. You were my parents away from my mom and dad and Elizabeth and Rebekah, my sisters I never had. I could go on and on with all the wonderful memories I have with your family. I love you all and am so very sorry for the loss of Mr. Gibson, but like Elizabeth said, he’s rejoicing in heaven. Much love to you all. Andrea Ditmore
I am very thankful that I had the opportunity to have Chaplain Gibson as my mentor chaplain. He and his family were a great blessing to me and my family when we arrived at our first duty in Japan.
He was always a blessing and encouragement to me, there and at Parris Island as well as champion of the Gospel.
You raised an amazing daughter in Elizabeth Gibson. God Bless you!
I’m so sorry to hear of his passing. His daughters were a part of our small circle as children on Adsk, and I know they love their Daddy. Prayers with Mrs. Gibson, Rebekah and Elizabeth.
Dawn Gardiner
My heart breaks for your family! I have very fond memories of our church services and fellowships on Adak when I was in elementary school. Praying for the peace that passes all understanding to comfort your family at this time.
Pastor Gibson was a wonderful leader to his flock in Adak. He preached The Word of God and wanted us to delve into The Word! Adak was a unique place where lifelong friendship were made. We were a very close family. Linda, Rebekah, Elizabeth and family, we are truly sorry for your loss.
Much Love,
Greg and Michele
The Gibbs Girls and the rest of your family are in my prayers for your loss. Please know that he touched many lives and we will see him again. God bless you all! Debbie
We were so privileged and blessed to have known Ralph these last 2 and half years as neighbors in Winter Garden. It was special to see him just a couple weeks ago also. We know he he was surrounded by a very loving family! We pray for peace for the entire Gibson family, comfort in his place in heaven and joy in the memories of him.
Dear Linda Sue,
I am so very sorry for your loss. I know you’ll miss Ralph terribly, but how sweet to know that he is in the presence of our Lord. Ralph was one of the kindest and sweetest people I’ve ever known. I know I haven’t seen you folks in a long time, but I have such great memories of our times together years ago. I love you.
Beverly Pippin Warren
Marilyn and Linda, I’m sorry for your loss. Ralph Jr. was a good man and I have no doubt that he was a good minister. I know you will miss him terribly. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Linda, we are so sorry to hear about Ralph. We have often wondered where you all ended up after he joined the Navy. He achieved his dream and that is wonderful. Mill Creek hasn’t changed much. It has been a lot of years but we still think of your family. With love and sympathy, Sam and Judy Orr
Linda, we learned about Ralph. We’ve thought about you both alot through the years. We sure missed you both. We would like to be able to contact you.
Linda I have tried to find you guys over the years. Even before Facebook, to no avail. Ralph changed my life forever. I was 15 years old when you guy’s left Mill Creek, Ok. I sure didn’t want to find him this way! I remember when we mom and dad and Ralphs parents moved you from FT.Worth to Mill Creek. Lots of fun. I am praying for you and your family, I guess it’s been 5 months now. Ralph was the best pastor/ preacher that I ever came in contact with. Ralph was a man of God! I cried a river when you left Mill Creek, Ok, but I knew that he would have to leave at some point. Not enough income and Ralph was too good for a rural town in Oklahoma. I left also, not much to offer. I am in Dallas and have been here for 30 years. I am praying for you, just because I haven’t seen you in 38 years doesn’t mean I can’t send my condolences. You will always be in my prayers, I pray for the best for you. I hope that you can remember me,or my face. I will always love you! Elizabeth and Rebecca were so young, I doubt that they remember Mill Creek. Love to you all! I am so sorry for your loss.
Linda, I just found out about Ralph. I am so sorry he’s gone and that we lost contact. As you may know, he first introduced me to Christ at PJC. I resisted that call for a year but he never stopped praying for me and I was saved the first day back at school the next year. I hate that I never got to hear him preach. I would appreciate it if you would contact me and let me say hello to you after all these years. I remember you took real good care of him when we met in Pensacola years ago.
Joe Mayfield
Please pardon the lateness of this message, yet I am not good at keeping in touch with people. Mrs. Gibson, my condolences to you and your family. You probably don’t remember me but I served with CDR Gibson, as he was then, at NTC Orlando 1994-1995. I was still just a lowly little Lieutenant, but he was always king toward me and never hesitated to listen to me or have words of encouragement for me. He was a good man and mentor.
Lt. Pamela S Forney, LT CHC USN (Ret)
Linda, I am so sorry. You guys were such a perfect couple serving in Alaska. Our most favorite couple EVER! I was so saddened when Sue Moore shared with me recently about your family. We, too, are in FL and would love to hear from you!Do take care and I pray this message reaches you!
Christian Love,
Mike & Sharon Threet