Roy Lewis Gibson Jr., 76, of Masontown, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.
He was born in Cascade, on Dec. 26, 1946, a son of the late Roy Lewis Gibson Sr. and Marie Jean (Taylor) Gibson.
Roy graduated from Valley High School in 1964. At Valley High School in Masontown, Roy lettered multiple years in baseball, basketball, football and track. After graduation, Roy enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Augsburg, Germany. With the 2nd Brigade Bayonet, he played both sides of the ball in football, never leaving the field; in baseball, he led the league in home runs. When his time in the service ended in 1967, Roy attended Miami-Dame Junior College and played baseball, where he led the league in home runs and RBIs. While working out at Curtis Park, Roy was invited to tryout and walked on to the Washington Senators spring training camp in Pompano Beach, Fla.
Roy came back to West Virginia and never stopped writing his own sports story. Those chapters include a successful dirt-track racing career, many seasons of softball, and decades of league bowling and tournament golfing. In 2014, a full 50 years after high school, Roy bowled a perfect 300 and hit a hole-in-one while golfing.
He worked for Greer Limestone and the Raese family for many years and owned and operated his own sawmill, logging, and construction businesses. Roy loved the outdoors and was always on the go.
Roy is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Sandra Kay (Wolfe) Gibson; two daughters, Kimberlee Ann Baldwin and husband Chuck of Charleston, and Heather Elane Idler and husband Andy of N.J.; half- brother, Edward “Gib” Gibson; a half sister, Betty Reid of Masontown; two stepdaughters, Tonya Marie Harmon and husband Ed of Bethel Park, Pa., and Tara Leigh Stawiarski and husband Jamie of Upper St. Clair, Pa.; 10 step-grandchildren and one step-great-grandchild.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Harold Gibson and Willard Gibson, and a half-brother, Clyde Gibson.
Friends and family may call at the Field Funeral Home in Masontown from 2-8 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 10, and on Monday, Sept. 11, from 1 p.m. until the 2 p.m. service with the Rev. Dr. David Spence officiating. Military rites will be conducted by the Preston County Honor Guard and the WVANG Honor Guard. To honor Roy’s wishes he will then be cremated.
Condolences:
www.fieldfuneralhome.com
