Obituary of Larry Gibson

Larry Joseph Gibson of Camrose, formerly of Fairview, Alberta, passed away on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at the age of 64 years. Larry Joseph Gibson was born to Joe and Hilda Gibson on Feb. 8, 1953 at Fairview, Alberta. He was the youngest of the family and loved growing up and exploring on the family farm at the top of the Dunvegan Hill. He always described his many adventures of his younger years with much fondness and the North Country always held a special place in his heart. He completed all of his schooling in Fairview and then after politely declining the opportunity to take over the family farm he moved to Edmonton to attend university. He graduated from the University of Alberta with his Bachelor of Commerce Degree in 1975. Larry worked for the Royal Bank for several years and then felt the need for a change. He worked in the finance department for the Mac Truck dealership in Grande Prairie for a while after that but again there was a calling to move on. He then started working for the Alberta Treasury Branch, now known as ATB Financial, and after several moves around Alberta including Grande Prairie, Claresholm and Manning, was posted to the Sherwood Park Branch. It was during his posting at Sherwood Park that a blind date resulted in a meeting with Rita and as they say, the rest is history. Rita and Larry were married July 27, 1991 and celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary last summer. They were blessed with two children, Adam in 1992 and Kirsten in 1994. Beginning in 2005, Larry began to have health issues. Eventually it was discovered that he needed a liver transplant and that magic call came and on Jan. 13, 2011 he was wheeled away and given a new liver and a new lease on life. He never looked back and lived each day with gratitude and did everything he could to honour his donor and the donor family. Larry and Rita corresponded with members of the donor family anonymously for a few years and were then the first in Western Canada to meet their donor family face to face in June 2014. Larry began having health issues again in Feb. 2016 and it was finally agreed upon in January that he needed another transplant. He was officially approved in February but was not given a match until April 19. Unfortunately it was too late for him and due to multiple complications the surgeons had to abandon the transplant. Larry was told there was nothing more they could do for him so he was sent back to Camrose. The dreams of a few days to recuperate and go home to sneak in a few more adventures was cut short when he passed away in the early hours on April 25. Larry was the best husband and father anyone could ever ask for. He loved his family beyond measure. He had a quick wit and his humour was well known. He loved people and volunteered for many organizations over the years. Most recently the Camrose Kodiaks, Camrose Special Olympics and Camrose Friends of STARS saw the benefits of his generous heart. He felt very blessed to be given those six extra years after his transplant and made the most of them. He and Rita enjoyed several trips during recent years and Larry was planning more right up to the end. He was loved deeply and is missed by his wife Rita Helmig and his children Adam and Kirsten Gibson as well as sister Jo-Anne (Otto) Wedman, brother Rod (Bev) Gibson, brother in law Jack (Cindy) Helmig and sister in law Judy Helmig (Kevin Glebe) as well as many nephews, nieces and special friends and neighbours. He was predeceased by his parents Joe and Hilda Gibson, niece Laura Gibson, great nephew Thomas Wedman and in laws Jim and Geneva Helmig. Larry we will love you forever and always. A Funeral Service was held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 2, 2017 from the Rosalind Hall with Rev. Anne Telford officiating. Inurnment has taken place in the Green View Cemetery. If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to H.O.P.E. Human Organ Procurement and Exchange (Room 9423, Aberhart Building, 11402 University Ave Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2J3), or to the Camrose Friends of STARS.