James Dearl Gibson

[James Dearl Gibson passed away May 15, 2024. Viewing will be Friday, May 31, at 8 a.m. at Peters Funeral Home in Shafter, with a graveside service at 10 a.m. at Shafter Cemetery.]

James Dearl Gibson, known to most as Jim, was born Aug. 27, 1941, in Bragg City, Mo., to parents J. Harold and Marie Gibson. When Jim was 5 years old, the family relocated to Wasco, where he attended local schools, graduating from Wasco Union High School and later attending Bakersfield College.

In 1961, Jim married Rose Mary Tolbert of Shafter. During their 10 years of marriage, the couple was blessed with four children, James, Katherine, Daniel and Michael.

In 1990, Jim married the love of his life, Debra Robison, and welcomed her daughters, Amanda and Maggi, as his own. Jim and Debbie were very much in love and by each other’s side for over 33 years.

Jim worked in many different trades. He labored in agriculture, tree trimming, welding and truck driving. As a ready-mix driver, Jim had a hand in hundreds of residential and commercial construction projects around Kern County and along the central coast.

In his free time, Jim loved to watch westerns and football, tinker with old cars, collect antiques, restore furniture and travel. In his later years, he enjoyed his morning coffee while watching the birds and squirrels from the comfort of his patio.

Jim’s memory will forever be cherished as a husband, a Daddy, and his most heartfelt role, as “Papaw.”

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, J. Harold and Marie Gibson; his brother Harold Dean Gibson; and his son James Dean Gibson.

He is survived by his wife, Debra Gibson; his sister, Joyce (Bill Andrews); his daughter Kathy Gibson; his son Daniel Gibson; his son Michael Gibson (Connie); his daughter Amanda (Jeff Gibbons); his daughter Maggi (Mike McInnerney); his grandchildren, Daniel, Nicole, Hailey; James, Cameron, Dorian, Skylar, Logan and Emma; his great-grandchildren, Nathan, Presley, Crimson, Indigo, Keyrah and Lylah.