JOE GIBSON - INDUCTEE #98
hall of fame fast fact:
Weldon Trice recalled that Joe Gibson took special care of him and some other Childress boys who were poor. "During the holidays he knew we could not afford a turkey," Trice said. "There was a football coach whose dad raised turkeys. Every Christmas and Thanksgiving - he (Gibson) never said where they came from - but there were at least three families that had dressed turkeys. I didn't find out until later that he arranged for us to have them."
Joe Gibson
Joe Gibson graduated as president of his class at Paducah High School. Gibson later starred in three sports at Hardin-Simmons; he graduated in three years.
He began his teaching and coaching careers at Sweetwater. Gibson later moved to Abilene High School as assistant football coach in 1925, then to Eastland to coach for five years.
In 1933, Gibson took a job as head football coach at Childress High School where only 15 boys played on his team. Still, Gibson led the team to a 7-1-2 record that season; in his eight seasons, his Bobcats were 52-24-4.
Gibson was a father figure to many of his players. Gibson earned his master’s degree at Texas Tech in 1941 and took over as Childress’ principal the same year. Later, he also assumed the superintendent duties. He served in these roles until 1952 when he left to take the superintendent’s position in Canyon. He served there until he retired in 1963.
In 1983, the Canyon Chamber of Commerce named Gibson Citizen of the Year.
