Austin Randolph Gibson

Austin Randolph Gibson, Sr. of Venice, Florida; formerly of Mt. Jackson, Virginia; went home to meet the Lord on January 17 at the age of 85 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. Born on April 20, 1935 in Washington, D.C., he was the son of the late Tiny and Fran Gibson. Austin is survived by his wife of 66 years, Elizabeth ""Jane"" Gibson and his children, Kathleen Bowring (Garry); Terrie Gibson; and Austin Gibson, Jr. (Jeannette); his grandchildren, Candice Cheshire (Joseph); Jessica Matchavariani (Revas); Daniel Bowring (Danielle); Hannah Davis (Kyle); Bryan Bowring (Brittany); and Zachariah Gibson. He is also survived by his six great-grandchildren, Anne Cheshire; Delaney Bowring; Dylan Bowring; Caleb Matchavariani; Bristol Bowring; and Grant Davis, and his brother, Raymond Gibson. Austin was a graduate of Anacostia High School in 1954, and married Jane, his high school sweetheart, on August 7, 1954. Austin proudly served two years in the United States Navy, and spent 20 honorable years as a Washington, D.C. firefighter. After retiring from the fire department in 1978, he followed his passion for flying and opened up a banner towing business, flying banners over the beaches of Ocean City, Maryland and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as well as RFK Memorial Stadium during professional football games. He was always a vessel to spread God's message and was a member of the Freemasons, Gideons International, and formerly of Parkway Baptist Church in Lakeland, Florida. Austin always lived life to the fullest. He loved his family, flying airplanes, riding and racing motorcycles, and boating on the Chesapeake Bay. Austin was a wonderful father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His humor, warmth, love, and courage will be deeply missed. A burial service will be held at the Gibson family cemetery in Gretna, Virginia in the spring. The date is to be determined.