Sherman David Gibson

Sherman David, age 97, passed away peacefully on January 24, 2021, with family lovingly present, at Sugar Creek Alzheimer's Special Care Center, shortly after suffering a stroke. He has been loved for his lifelong positive outlook, affection and humor which continued to the end.

He was born in Middlesboro, KY on Nov. 21, 1923 to William Laban Gibson and Eva Ellison Gibson. Growing up in Middlesboro, KY, he was an Eagle scout, and a graduate of Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN.

Sherman David served as a B-24 pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II. He was the only survivor of a crash after his plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire. He was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and other medals.

He married Patricia Piper May 23, 1948 and they moved to Macon, GA. He became a chemist, working for most of his career at Robins AFB in Warner Robins, GA. He volunteered for many years at Vineville Baptist Church, the Coliseum Hospital, and making wooden toys to donate. He was an avid gardener. In 2009 he moved to Bloomington, IL to be near family.

He was preceded in death by his parents William and Eva, one sister Loretta Jean who died in childhood, and wife Patricia who died in 2000. He is survived by two daughters, Ellen Gibson Culpepper (Joseph) of Bloomington, IL, and Patricia Jene Walker of Salt Lake City; five grandchildren: David Knighton (Melissa) of Detroit, Rebecca Kuhn (Brandon), Derek Knighton (Terrie) of Salt Lake City, Teresa Carpenter (Chad) of St. Louis; and Noah Culpepper of Olathe, KS; eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandson.

A gathering to honor David's life will be held on zoom at 5:00 pm Central Time on Saturday, January 30, 2021. The link will be available from Calvert and Metzler Memorial Home in Bloomington at www.calvertmemorial.com, and condolences may be expressed there. Interment of ashes will be held later at Macon Memorial Park.

The family warmly thanks the outstanding staff of Sugar Creek Alzheimer's Special Care Center in Normal, IL with special thanks to caregiver Kimberly Johnson and many others! Also deep thanks to Compassus Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are welcomed for the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.

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We plan a brief informal gathering, with photos of David's life.
Following the service, everyone will be invited to stay on to share your own memories, and stories.