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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend October 10, 2006 Educator remembered for service, commitment to his community Longtime educator also worked on city planning issues By Meg Landers Mail Tribune Longtime Medford educator Boyd Gibson died Saturday at his home of natural causes. He was 83. Gibson finished his education career as director of elementary education in the Medford School District, but those who knew him said his job was only one piece of his broad commitment to the community. "He spent countless hours on behalf of our children in schools," said Medford City Councilman Bob Strosser. "In later years, he spent countless hours on behalf of city planning on the Planning Commission." "He was a wonderful man," said Temple Gibson, his wife of 58 years. Gibson was born in Portland in 1923 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17. He was a sailor aboard the battleship USS Tennessee at Pearl Harbor on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, the day Japan launched an attack on the United States fleet and military bases in Hawaii. Advertisement Gibson moved to the Rogue Valley shortly after the war and graduated in 1953 from what is now Southern Oregon University with a degree in education. He would spent 50 years working as an educator. He taught his first year at Griffin Creek Elementary School and later transferred to Ruch Elementary School. He became the principal of Griffin Creek School and later Howard Elementary School and he helped to build new schools in both locations. Later he was director of elementary education and transportation director at the central office of the Medford School District. After retiring in 1985, he continued on with the school system as a consultant and volunteer. Gibson served on the Medford Planning Commission from 1996 to 2004. "Boyd was somebody the Planning Commission looked up to and respected," said longtime Planning Commission member Carl Bartlett. Bartlett credits Boyd with spearheading the effort to put sidewalks around elementary schools, a cause later picked up by Medford City Councilwoman Claudette Moore. In 2004, Medford voters approved a $4.6 million sidewalk bond to help build sidewalks around 12 elementary schools. Mike Moran, a former School Board member and current candidate for the state Legislature, said he appreciated Gibson's demeanor. "He was very low key but an exceptionally intelligent, astute man," said Moran. "He was really understanding of kids and liked kids a lot." Moran had a special connection with Gibson, having saved his life at a Medford School District board meeting in 2001. At the meeting, Gibson collapsed — his heart stopped by a potassium imbalance due to medication. Moran and a nurse in the audience quickly started CPR to keep Gibson alive until emergency medical technicians arrived. "Every Valentine's Day he'd send me a little card," said Moran. "He just really was one of the nicest guys I'd ever met." In addition to his wife, he is survived by his brother, Jack Gibson of Seaside; three sons, Mitch Gibson of Medford, Kelly Gibson of Prospect and Kent Gibson of Florence; 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Mike Gibson, in 2004. A remembrance will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 21, in the Howard Elementary School gym, 286 Mace Road, Medford. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com