Adolphus Hugh "Hoot" Gibson

Adolphus Hugh "Hoot" Gibson was received into Glory and is now with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, November 30, 2018. He passed peacefully at his home in Biloxi, MS surrounded by his family. Hoot was born in Birmingham, Alabama on August 20, 1931 at St. Vincent's Hospital during the Great Depression. His father, Adolphus Hugh Gibson, Sr., was born in Chambers County, AL on March of 1903, Mother, Sara Roberts Gibson was born in Birmingham, AL on September of 1908. Hoot was the first member of his family to graduate from college, when he graduated from the University of Alabama in January 1954 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. Hoot paid his own way through college by joining the Army ROTC, having a dry cleaners route, and doing odd jobs. While at the University of Alabama, Hoot joined and was an active member of the Theta Chi Fraternity. After graduation Hoot was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army. Hoot served two years active duty and 20 years in the reserves retiring in 1973 as a Lieutenant Colonel. His first Army assignment was with the Corp of Engineers assigned to a Combat Engineering Company at Ft. Belvoir, VA. While on active duty in Washington, DC, Hoot found the love of his life, Betty Neville and they were married on October 30, 1954 in the Chapel at the First Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC. Thus began a long relationship with each other and the Presbyterian Church. After marriage, Hoot took his new bride to their first duty station together in Stansted, England about 30 miles north of England. His unit’s job was to upgrade the runways at Stansted so they could land the B-52s. They poured concrete day and night, sunshine or snow. Upon returning to the States Hoot transitioned to civilian life and had a successful 30 year career with Southern Company Services as a licensed Professional Engineer where he worked in the Steam Project Planning Department holding positions of increasing responsibility. Hoot served on the Board of Directors at Southern Company as part of his position as Chief Mechanical Engineer and Director of Power Engineering. During his career at SCS Hoot was involved in the startup of Plants Watson, Daniel, and Berry in Mississippi. After retiring on Jan 1, 1988, Hoot continued working for Southern Energy International (SEI) as a Power Engineer Consultant for the next 12 years. SEI established a plant improvement team to market their experience, which brought Hoot to Australia, Turkey, Malaysia, Trinidad, and Pakistan; where he evaluated potential Power Plant acquisitions. He also worked on a number of projects as an expert consultant. One expert consulting job was on the explosion at Ford Motor Co. power plant in Dearborn, MI where there was a number of employees who lost their lives. Hoot started his journey through life with Christ as his Lord and Savior In 1964 after attending a Thursday night Bible study with Frank Barker. Hoot turned his life over to Christ and soon after he and Betty became part of the initial group to start up Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, AL. After a few years of growth he was ordained a deacon and then an elder. Hoot lived his life by faith. Quoting from his Memoirs…”Romans 8 is my favorite chapter in the Bible and I expect that it is one of your favorites, too. Look at the promises in 8:1. “There is now no condemnation. If we are children of God, then we are heirs of God. 8:18. Our present sufferings are not worthy to be compared to glory that is to come. What can separate us from the love of God. Nothing.” Our Family’s great hope and comfort is in the fact that Hoot is now experiencing that glory first hand with the whole community of believers in heaven. All the Glory be to God, Amen! Hoot was an avid golfer. Again from is own words…”I never was good at golf, even after I retired and played full time. I had a nine handicap for about a year but normally it was between 13 and 15. Since I had my heart surgery in 2009, it has jumped to 22. I remember Jim Wallace (SCS) telling me the story that he asked his doctor after heart surgery if he would be able to play golf when he recovered. His doctor assured him he would. Jim said that was great because he couldn’t play before his surgery.” Hoot is preceded in death by his parents, Adolphus Hugh and Sara Roberts, and sister, Alice Smith. Hoot is survived by his bride of 64 years, Betty; daughters, Allison (Randy) Griffin and Faith (Bill) Williston; grandchildren, Leigh (David) Saldarriga, Rachel Griffin, Bill (Kathleen) Williston, David Williston, and Micheal (Hannah) Williston; great-grandchildren, Arturo, Wyatt, and Declan Saldarriga and Kirstine Williston; and sisters Imogene Early and Barbara Fiscus. Believe it or not Hoot had an artistic side. Like Rosie Greer, the pro football player, he was an accomplished needle-pointer. Betty got him started. His first canvas was a collage of a flower, which was entered in an Art and Craft show and won a ribbon. He also completed a piece that was a copy of a painting of a rooster, “the running rooster” by the artist, Walter Anderson. Services will be held Friday, December 7, 2018 at the First Presbyterian Church of Gulfport at 1:00 p.m. Friends may visit one hour prior. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangments.