JACK GIBSON 1964 - 1986 PILOT GSW AMA DAL DEN Posted at Bill Lasseter's Guestbook Bill Lasseters' final flight "Westbound" marks the departure of a gentleman, a professional pilot but more than that, a true "Airman" with a special touch with the airplane that put him in the "Elite" class of pilots. Bill, thank you so much for letting me as a very young pilot, share your cockpit in the right hand seat and learn the trade from a true master. -Jack Gibson (10/18/06) First of all, many thanks for all your hard work and long hours you put into maintaining the web site and publishing the Frontier News. I was still dripping wet behind the ears when I hired on at Central in 1964 as a DC-3 Co-pilot. I was flying Captain on the MD-80 on 8/23/86 when THEY shut our beloved Frontier Airlines down. I went on to retire at Continental at age 60 as a 757/767 Captain but it just wasn't the same. I came out of retirement in less than 2 years and now work as a Contract Pilot for the US GOV. and am headed for the Middle East for a 60 day tour very soon. -Jack Gibson (7/14/07) J E GIBSON Seniority date of 4/13/64 on the 9/1/86 FL/ALPA seniority list. -Jake (7/14/07) Jack phoned about 3:30pm and we chatted. He's leaving for Afghanistan in 10 days and wants me to expedite the new newsletter and a CD to him before he leaves. He said he would send some extra money for priority mail. I told him to be careful - he said this was his 3rd time over there. He's a contract pilot for U.S. but couldn't talk much about it. I told him I would mail it Monday. -Jake Lamkins (7/14/07) Hope this note finds you and yours well and enjoying the good life in good old "Fatalburg". I still have fond memories of flying the old DC-3 into Drake Field as a young/green co-pilot. Seems like yesterday but was over 46 years ago. Anyway, just wanted to thank you for all the good work you do keeping those memories alive for those of us that worked for one of the greatest little airlines ever! -Jack Gibson DOH 13 April 1964 Central emp# 2944 Frontier emp# 3113 (6/28/10) Captain Jack Gibson ... Central, Frontier, Continental .... just called me ... I've known Jack since our days at Ross School of Aviation, Tulsa, Oklahoma in the late 50's together. We hired on in the same Central Airlines DC-3 class in 1964 .. he's one of the good guys ... and a good pilot .... As I said, he hired on with Central in '64 ... was with Frontier to the end and went to Continental when they bought FAL assets and was there until he retired. Later went to Aero Contractors, Ltd. in the North Carolina woods ... flying under contract to the U.S. Government ... doing things he can't talk about. He has a collection of pilot wings .. all the way back to Monarch Airlines ... that he wants to get into a museum where folks can see and enjoy them Give him a call .. He lives in the Carolina's and Florida. Right now he is at his daughters ranch near Nacogdoches, TX undergoing treatment for cancer at M D Anderson in Houston. Just talked to him on the phone and he seems to be doing well. I told him I would get you two in touch. -Phil Stallings (5//13) Thanks for the connection, Phil. I'll give him a call. I had been wondering how he was. I last heard from him two years ago. I'm sorry to hear about his health problems. -Jake Lamkins (5/4/13) Talked to Jack about 40 minutes. His cancer is rare and hard to treat. It was diagnosed in Jan 2013. He has a positive attitude. He's looking for a home for his pilot pin collection which he has mounted on a 36 X 18 board covered with felt. It includes Ashworth's and Carmen's wings. It's in storage back in North Carlina. We discussed several options and his main concern is the viability of the museum and his heirs getting the pins back if they fold. I gave him the FYV.tripod.com URL. He'll think about it. -Jake Lamkins (5/7/13) Hey Jack, I visited with the Air Museum's executive director today and found you can give things to the museum three ways. 1. You can loan them items which you can get back anytime. 2. You can donate items with no conditions. 3. You can donate items with conditions, such as being returned to the heirs in the event of a closure. While there, he agreed to give me another display case so I can separate the CN and FL exhibits which I'm exited about. Museum website is http://www.arkansasairandmilitary.com/ Exhibit webpage is http://FYV.tripod.com/ -Jake Lamkins (5/13/13) Dear Friends of Jack Gibson, You may already know that Jack is very sick with Cancer. I want to let you know that he is not doing very well. He is no longer receiving treatment for the Cancer, except for pain medicines. If you have not been in recent communications with Jack, but would like to talk with him it would be best to reach out to him soon. I don't think he is checking email, but you can call him at his cell phone. Thank you for you prayers for Jack. Thank you, -Rex Gibson (3/21/14) Had a good chat with Jack Gibson about the good old days !! It was always a pleasure to fly with Jack...such a great guy. -Ed Woodson (3/26/14) Just received the following note from Jack's Son this morning. -Phil Stallings ============================================= Hi Phil, Thanks for the message and follow up on my Dad's condition. Unfortunately its not good news. His condition is now rapidly declining. He is no longer able to get out of bed and requires constant care. He is ---or would be --in severe pain, but he is heavily medicated with pain medicine. He is at my sisters house in Nacogdoches Texas. He is still eating, but he is not able to speak very much because he is very weak. I dont think his struggle will last much longer. I will keep you informed. Can you also let his other friends know. Thank you, -Rex Gibson (4/4/14) Just received the following email from Jack's Son, Rex ... -Phil Stallings Will send more info as I get it ... ============================================== Things are worse even since we communicated last. Now he can't speak or eat. He can only take a little water and breathing is very shallow and erratic. I am actually in Brazil on a business trip but I am boarding a flight back to Texas now...I will be in Nacogdoches by early afternoon. It seems like he may move along this week. If so we will probably have a memorial in Nacogdoches on Saturday. If he holds on longer...we will plan from there. All friends will be welcome. It is very sad because Dad was so strong and young for his age until the cancer struck...tough to go out like this. But for sure...he enjoyed life to the fullest. -Rex Gibson (4/6/14) I just received the following email from Rex Gibson, Jack's Son. I will forward any additional info as I get it. FAL Forever, -Phil Stallings ============================================= Note from Rex Hi Phil, Captain Jack is now flying in the heavens. I just missed getting to Jackie's home in time. He went peacefully, surrounded by family. Please let his other friends know. Rex Gibson (4/7/14) Well, Jack's struggle is over and he's partying with all the guys that have gone before him. So sad that we are losing so many of the good guys. -Joanne Griffin (4/7/14) Our deepest condolences to you and The Gibson Bunch. We are profoundly sad knowing your Dad has Gone West. Our sadness is tempered by our having known Jack. We'll meet again... Billy & Cheryl Walker (4/7/14) FLacebook - FL Club Pilot Jack Gibson flew west earlier today. He went peacefully, surrounded by family. -Jake Lamkins (4/7/14) Photo of Jack from 1972 reprinted with permission from the book FROM THE COCKPIT TO THE GALLEY by Bonnie C. Dahl and Patty A. McNeill. -Jake Lamkins (4/12/14) FLacebook - FL Club GSW AMA DAL DEN pilot Jack Gibson's memorial webpage has been posted. http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Jack_Gibson.html -Jake Lamkins (4/15/14) I am so saddened about Jack Gibson. He was my flight instructor before he got hired by Central Airlines. Lost touch several years ago. He died the day before my sister. Gives me a smile to think of Jack and my sister trying to outdo each other with stories. Thank you so much for the info. -Sharon Buckingham (5/6/14) FLacebook posting of Jun 1992 reunion photo with Jack in it: Just amazing that all three in this picture have passed on. RIP Rebecca, Charlie and Jack. -Linda Miller Anderson Jake Lamkins Yes, I thought the same thing as I was building the webpage. http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Rebecca_Herbert.html http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Jack_Gibson.html http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Charlie_Lambert.html Sharon Trumble Three great colleagues. Had bunches of fun with them all. Save me a spot at the bar, Jack! Sharlene Hall Worked with them all!! Great people ! Carolyn Lutz Charlie was so much fun to fly with. RIP my friend Jake Lamkins I'm glad you saw this Carolyn! I saw your post from some years ago asking about Charlie but I had lost your eddress. Carolyn Lutz I did often wonder about Charlie. He was a good friend back then. Thanks for posting Jake. Crystal Rush I remember them all, RIP Linda Hamala Loved that Jack Gibson (8/13/19) John Winter I remember Jack, great guy and friend, also a great Pilot. God Bless you Jack I miss you and your everlasting smile!! Phil Stallings Jack Gibson and I met when I was going to flight school at Ross Aviation, Tulsa, OK. Jack's Mother was Secretary at Ross and took care of me and my GI Bill paperwork. After flight school we went our separate ways. Then we both came together again as new hires in DC-3 school for Central Airlines Spring of 1964. Same class and had no idea we had both applied at Central. Jack and I were very close friends until he flew West. I miss him ... every day. RIP Jack ... I'm not too far behind you. (10/29/19)