Former Ada Police Chief Thomas Gibson, Jr., 81, died Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013 at 10:26 a.m.at Lima Memorial Health System, Lima, Ohio. He was born on Feb. 15, 1932, in McCutchenville, Ohio, to Thomas and Ada (Hale ) Gibson; both are deceased. On May 19, 1952, he married Christina R. Martin. She survives in Ada, Ohio.

Mr. Gibson joined the Ohio National Guard December 1948, during his high school years. He was a 1952 graduate of Alger High School. After graduation he reported for active duty at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Upon completing basic training in 1952, he reported for advanced infantry training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He returned to home base at Camp Polk, Louisiana. In 1952, Tom received his orders for Korea where he spent one tour of duty.

After completion of the Korean duty he reported to Fort Knox, Kentucky in 1954 for separation from the Army to return to the Ohio National Guard status. After serving his country for 28 years, he retired in 1976.

He worked for the New York Coal Co. south of Alger, and later at the Power Equipment factory in Galion as a welder. He was also a patrolman for the Ada Police Department, where he worked for 28 years, 12 of which he served as Chief of Police.

He helped in Child Safety and Block Watch programs as well. He retired from the Ada Police Department in 1990 and then worked for several years at Ohio Northern University on the grounds crew.

He began his volunteer program at Lima Memorial Hospital March 12, 2004 and was also a Red Cross volunteer for 20 years. He was a member of the Grace Gospel Church of Ada for several years. He was a life member of the American Legion Post 185 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9381 of Ada. 

Surviving are one son: Kenyon Gibson of Ada; two daughters: Christina (Dan) Brown and Kalua (George) Sleesman both of Ada.; five grandchildren and six great grandchildren; one brother: Bob Gibson of Bradenton, Florida and one sister: Bessie (Robert) Davis of Johnsville, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by two brothers: Clyde Gibson and James Gibson; and three sisters: Mary Carey, Irene Congioloso and Janet Lauer.

Funeral Services for Thomas Gibson, Jr. will begin at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Ada with Pastor Trent Boedicker officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Ada. Graveside Military Rites will be conducted by the Ada VFW Post 9381 Honor Guard.

Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6, and until the time of the service on Wednesday at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Ada.

Memorial contributions can be made to Grace Gospel Church, Ada, Ohio.