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The Professor is supported in part by donations made to the Georgia Equestrian Foundation.  A 501(c)3 charitable foundation.

Marshall Gibson,

Dies at age 67

Mr. Marshall Gibson, age 67 of Roswell died Thursday, January 15, 2004. Marshall was a loving father and husband and will be greatly missed by family, friends and business Associates. He will be remembered as a supportive father as well as a wise and talented man to all who knew him. We love you "Dad". Survivors include his wife, Marie Gibson of Roswell, daughters and sons-in-law, Maxann and Archie Wanamaker of Dunwoody, Leia and Dan Bangs of Alpharetta and Michelle Gibson of Roswell. Sister, Marsha Ann Doughtery of Sykesville, Maryland, and 5 grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, January 18, 2004 in the Chapel of Roswell Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Atlanta Humane Society in memory of Marshall Gibson, 981 Howell Mill Road NW, Atlanta, Ga. 30318. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 2 pm till 4 pm and 6 pm till 8 pm at Roswell Funeral Home, 950 Mansell Road, (770)993-4811.
Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on 1/17/2004

Marshall Gibson Loved Coffee

Marshall Gibson loved coffee. The first time I met the man; He had a thermos of coffee in his hand and was pouring me a cup. I like coffee as much as the next guy, but Marshall’s love for coffee was infectious. Weekend mornings I would show up at the farm to watch Michelle ride and there would be Marshall with a thermos. Some days he was tight on time so he would have a four pack from McDonalds. One for him, three to pass out. His home blend of coffee was the best. It always arrived in a silver thermos. I suppose that he got up early just to brew it. If you were the lucky one, you would get the plastic cup that goes on the top of the thermos. That cup was special, it was old, and coffee stained and rich in memories and stories and carried the smell of the thousands of cups poured on the thousands of days before. Marshall would pass out coffee and sit with you and talk about horses, the farm, current events, or sometimes we would just sit and watch Michelle ride dressage. Several weeks ago Marshall showed up on Sunday and worked with me all day to help me put an automatic watering system in the barn. He brought tools an of course he brought coffee. If you needed to load a trailer, set up a display, hold a horse, move some boxes, or just have a friend to talk to, there was Marshall, and along with him came the coffee.

Marshall Gibson loved coffee. At his memorial service last Sunday I heard at least three or four stories told by friends and associates about the time “Marshall was out getting coffee.” Or how “we were talking about it over coffee.” Coffee was a theme in his life but like many themes there was a far deeper meaning than a simple love of caffeine. It took me several years to figure out that Marshall didn’t really drink all that coffee. What Marshall Gibson really loved was giving the coffee away.

Marshall Gibson loved sharing coffee. I haven’t met many men who spend as much time thinking about other people as Marshall Gibson did. How to make someone feel comfortable and feel at home, even in a barn was just second nature to him. Marshall taught me it really doesn’t take much, just a little thoughtfulness every day, like getting up 10 minutes early and brewing coffee, or stopping by McDonalds on the way to the farm. “What can I do for you?” “How can I help you?” “Would you like a cup of coffee?” This was how Marshall lived his life. In that one simple act of generosity and kindness I saw how good a man can be.

Yes, Marshall Gibson loved coffee, but more importantly, Marshall Gibson loved us.

God, please look after my friend Marshall Gibson, and if he offers you coffee, try to get the plastic cup from the top of the thermos.

dgower

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