Darrell Russell Gibson was born at Hasty, on Feb. 12, 1924, the oldest of four children born to Bryan and Bessie (Hill) Gibson. He died on Tuesday, April 19 (2011) at his home in Hasty. He was 87 years old.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at Holt Memorial Chapel. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, April 22, at the Newton County Baptist Church. Brother Rodney Sromlund and Brother Bob Harmon will officiate. Burial will be at the Hasty Cemetery. Pallbearers are Hunter Guynn, Tanner Gibson, Kelly Jurgena, David Dunlap, Sandford Smith, Harold Reddell, Dale Gibson and Kirby Doane. Honorary pallbearers are Mark and Ruby Watters, Charlotte Jurgena, Gail Smith, Fern Reddell, Ralph Day, and J.W. Hansen.
Darrell was a member of the Newton County Baptist Church. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and the VFW.
Darrell was drafted into the Army from the 11th grade at Western Grove School. He landed on Utah Beach on D-2, 1944. He was captured on July 7, 1944 and spent 10 months as a German POW in Mooseburg and Munich, Germany. Darrell's patriotism to the U.S. and faith in God were evident to those who knew him.
He married Edna Lea Day on Jan. 7, 1949, and they made their home in Hasty, where he served as Postmaster for 30 years. He thoroughly enjoyed his retirement. Hunting, fishing, and camping with his family were favorite activities. He and Edna traveled to the most northern point of the U.S. and to the most southern point of the U.S., as well as coast to coast.
He will be greatly missed by his family, his church, and camping friends. During the war, he leaned on Psalm 91 and God blessed him as verse 16 says: "With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation."
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Earl and Carl Gibson; one sister, Mildred Wallin; and one son, Philip Russell Gibson.
Darrell is survived by his wife, Edna Lea Gibson, of the home; a daughter, Nona Guynn and husband Wes of Western Grove; and four grandchildren, Hunter Guynn of Russellville, Tanner Gibson of Hasty, Sarah Gibson of Western Grove and Phoenix Gardner of Mountain Home; and many other family and friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Newton County Baptist Church Youth Group P.O. Box 40 Vendor, AR 72683.
