Veteran-U. S. Navy Aviation Division

Headstone has American Legion emblem.

Occupation(s): Teacher-Junior High School (1920's). Michigan Agricultural College, East Lansing, Michigan, furthering education (1922). Teacher-Amasa and Crystal Falls High Schools (1930's).

Married

Spouse: Pearl (Kilmer) Gibson

Parents

Mother: Eva Heath Gibson (Wisconsin)

Father: John Thoburn Gibson (Canada)

The sad news of the death of Thoburn E Gibson, 33 years of age...was a severe shock to everyone. Mr. Gibson had been ill only five days, death coming this morning, November 21st at four o'clock due to pneumonia.

The deceased was born in Amasa, February 1st, 1897, and grew to manhood in that locality. He attended Michigan State College at Lansing, graduating with a degree of Bachelor of Sciences. Following his graduation he taught school at Amasa for two years and for the past eight years he has been an honored and respected instructor of the science department of the Crystal Falls High School. He also took several courses at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Mr. Gibson was in the service during the World War, engaged in the naval aviation division. He was a member of the Masonic order as well as a legionaire. He was active in church work while living in Amasa and was known as a man of excellent Christian character.

He was married to Pearl Kilmer on June 2, 1923.

The deceased is survived by his widow, Pearl, and his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Thoburn Gibson, pioneer residents of Amasa....

The M.E. Church here was too small to accommodate all who wished to attend so arrangements had been made to hold the religious services in the gymnasium of the Amasa high school.... The large room was filled to overflowing with friends of the deceased and of deceased's family from all parts of Iron and adjoining counties.... The floral contributions were without precedent in Iron county. The room in which the remains lay was banked deep all about with floral contributions. On Sunday morning came word that the green house in Iron River was sold out. A truck load of flowers was ordered from other sources and arrived on Monday morning to add to the beautiful and abundant floral tributes already there.

Automobiles and busses began to congregate in Amasa early in the afternoon. Arrangements had been made that school children and the members of the organizations in which the deceased held membership might pass through the room to view the body. That completed, the brief Masonic services at the home were gone through with and the funeral procession formed and wended its way to the school gym. The members of the American Legion and of the Masons marched in advance of the hearse.

The high school was closed on Monday afternoon in respect for last rites. All of the high school teachers attended, and most of the High School students paid their last respects....The large room was so full that the standing room was full up.

Mr. Gibson's last act was to take out a membership in the American Red Cross.

Memorial Day, 1931

The Amasa Boy Scouts will place an American flag and wreath on the grave of Thoburn Gibson. Decorations will be provided by the Crystal Falls American Legion Post.