Dunbar Porter Gibson, Jr.- A Sojourn Through Six States

The journey of life for Dunbar Porter Gibson, Jr., born to Dr. Dunbar Porter Gibson, Sr. of St. Louis, MO and Mildred Knox of Ann Arbor, MI, began in DETROIT, MICHIGAN on July 28, 1943. His birth at Parkside Hospital followed two years after that of his big sister, Sandy (now Saundra Bohanon). Following his early education at Cass High School and Ferris College and his work years in Detroit, Dunbar, Jr. (Butch) moved to ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI. He took residence with a family friend, Joy Blache, who lived alone, predeceased by her son and husband (Dr. Blache), and whose daughter had moved to NY. It so happens that the daughter had a best friend named Ethel Fletcher in St. Louis, whose father, Dr. Fletcher, had been stationed at Fort Juachuca, AZ with Dr. Blache and Dr. Gibson in the medical corps. Confused? God wasn't! He had a plan.

Ethel helped to enrich Dunbar's social life while he was pursuing job opportunities. God directed Dunbar's path to become a job counselor for the St. Louis Urban League, then a Human Resources Manager at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, both while attending and receiving a business degree from Washington University. Having pursued and accomplished his employment goals, Dunbar then spent time pursuing Ethel's hand in marriage! The most significant events during Dunbar's stay in St. Louis were his marriage to Ethel Fletcher in 1969 at Lane Tabernacle CME Church and the birth of his children, Dunbar Porter Gibson III in 1972 and Dawn Prentis Gibson (nee Spinks) in 1974, who were both christened at Lane Tabernacle.

His next journey took the four of them to SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA, where Dunbar became Director of Human Resources at Exide Battery. After 16 months he and the family moved to HOLLAND, PENNSYLVANIA. There he continued in Human Resources Management for several years, first at the Franklin Mint then at several banks. His final work position took him to Baltimore, MD where he became Regional VP for M&T Bank. He commuted weekly for two years, returning to Holland on the weekends and attending St. Mark AME Zion Church in Newtown, PA. Finally, the "Retirement Journey" took Dunbar and Ethel to MESA, ARIZONA, first to visit cousins, then to settle in that same community. They affiliated with Fisher Chapel AME Zion Church, then Greater Bethel AME Church. Dunbar served both places as a Trustee. God allowed the aging process to motivate their 2017 sojourn to GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA to be near Dawn, son-in-law Joseph and grandson Jonathan. Here they were welcomed into a loving congregation at Trinity AME Zion Church and an embracing neighborhood (Eagle Pointe West). Dunbar III and his wife, LaSaundra, visited from Los Angeles, CA and enjoyed many fun, precious times here prior to the progression of their dad's illness.

In order to avoid the devastation of the disease of dementia, which can be long-term and cruel, Ethel prayed for a different type of 'departure' for her husband of 50 years. During his final three months Dunbar's decline was primarily physical. That time afforded his family the opportunity to store up enough kisses, touches, loving exchanges and memories to last a lifetime. He entered Beacon Place Hospice on Wednesday, Feb. 26th and on the THIRD DAY, February 28th, 2020, Ethel's prayers were answered completely as HE AROSE in spirit to meet his Maker at his final destination – Heaven.

En route, Dunbar enjoyed Family Love from his sister, Saundra Bohanon, brother-in-law Michael, nieces Kathleen and Linda Bohanon, and from his Knox Family including aunts, uncles, and dear cousins. More love from Ethel's family, Gibson sisters-Love, Stepfamily-Love from the Manns, In-law-Love from Family Spinks and LaSaundra Brown Gibson's family, Church Family-Love in 6 states, Neighborly-Love in 6 states, Colleague-Love, Caregiver-Love, God-Sent Friends and Acquaintance Admiration and Love, along with lots of loving nicknames: Butchie, Honey, Grandpa and Gramps, Dad, Dad Gibson, Uncle Butch, Cuzzie-Wuzzie, Buddy, 'big brother', Brother Gibson, Boyfriend, Handsome, Detroit, Old Goat– to name a few. So much love, so many blessings. We thank God for expertly navigating Dunbar's sojourn here and we look forward to reuniting with him one day in our future heavenly home.

A service honoring his life will be held on Friday, March 6, 2020 at Trinity AME Zion Church; 631 E. Florida St. Greensboro, NC. Visitation will begin at 10am with service following at 10:30am. Internment will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery.