After a long and courageous battle with Huntington’s disease, Henry “Harry” B. Gibson with his wife, Delraye at his side, left this world to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Friday, April 4, 2014.
Harry was born in Scotland on January 15, 1945. He was an early achiever and became an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of Scotland. Harry started his career at an early age in Scotland and moved to the United States in 1971 to begin a thirty-six year career with American Valve. He moved up from his initial title of pattern maker to retiring in 2007 as a product engineer. Harry traveled with his work and loved to teach, design, and share his skills with others. He was affectionately referred to as “Felix” because of his impeccable organizational skills, meticulous desk not to mention the can of Pledge he lovingly kept at his desk.
Harry met his wife of almost forty-two years, Delraye Brown Gibson, at American Valve and they were married in May of 1972. Delraye and Harry had a special bond of love and friendship that endured from beginning until the end, in sickness and health until his death. One of Harry’s proudest and happiest moments came when he became an American citizen in 1987. Harry was a skilled craftsman and loved working with wood. Everyone knew if Harry built it, it would be perfect. Harry was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease in 2004. Harry and Delraye faced this incurable disease with the utmost courage and dignity and never let the disease take their love of life from them. Harry continued to work, travel, and embrace life at its fullest. He participated in numerous drug trials at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston in the hope that his actions could lead to a cure in the future.
Harry loved to play blackjack, to travel (especially anywhere near the ocean and palm trees), and the music of Jimmy Buffet. Of course, there was never an action movie he did not like to see. Harry loved his church, Wesley United Methodist and his Sunday School Class (Daily Walkers). Harry loved his family and was generous and giving to his friends and family. He was a leader and a man of his word who was always there for his family. In the final stages of Huntington’s disease, he was lovingly cared for in his home by Delraye, her mother, Frankie Raye Brown, and his two caregivers, Oris Holmes and Earl Vincent. Delraye and Harry came to love Oris and Earl as family.
Harry is survived by his wife, Delraye B. Gibson; mother-in-law, Frankie Raye Brown; brother and sister-in-law, Edward C. Brown and Molly of Dallas; sister and family, Helen and Brian Hendry, and their children, Nicola and Gordon; great-niece, Erin of Scotland; first cousin and wife, Alex and Jenny Green; and uncle and wife, Neil and Margaret Wilson of Scotland.
A gathering of Mr. Gibson’s family and friends will begin at 9:00 a.m., with his funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m., Monday, April 7, 2014, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 3810 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Interment will follow at Rosedale Cemetery, Sour Lake, under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to Huntington’s Disease Society of America, 505 Eighth Avenue, Suite 902, New York, New York 10018 or to Movement and Disorders Clinic at Baylor College of Medicine, Smith Tower, 18th Floor, 6550 Fannin, Suite 1801, Houston, Texas 77030.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 RSV
