Charlie Gipson Jr.

Charlie Gipson, Jr. was born on March 31, 1945 in Henderson, Texas to Charlie and Anna Gipson. He passed on July 1st, 2023.Mr. Gipson was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Benny Gipson from New London; and, sister, Janie Russell from Overton. 

Charlie is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Linne Gipson and siblings, Mike, Betty, and Mary Lou; son and claimed favorite child, Mark Gipson and wife Debbie; daughter and claimed favorite child, Jennifer Williamson. Charlie was “Papa” to numerous grandchildren including his granddaughter, Dakota, and husband John Ellis, grandson, Chandler Hanna, and wife Sharilyn; granddaughters, Lauren Satcher and Emily Williamson; and, grandsons, Brady Gipson and Kyle Williamson. Charlie was blessed with many smiles and memories from his great grandchildren, Kaddison, Daisy, Kylie, Jaylen, Jaxon, Sadie and Desiree. Charlie is also survived by many other family members and friends whom he loved like family. 

Mr. Gipson served as a Navy Petty Officer and Hospital Corpsman, Third Class  during the Vietnam War. During his service, he earned a Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star, Vietnamese Campaign Medal, and National Defense Service Medal. After returning, he continued service to his country through the Naval Reserves. As a civilian, Mr. Gipson worked for Kelly Tire until his retirement then began his most recent job as a school bus driver (aka Lightning) for Sabine ISD. This, according to those who knew him and Charlie’s own words, was likely his most fulfilling and favorite job outside of the home. Charlie had a tireless drive to make an impact in the lives of children from the community through Sabine ISD, Dixie baseball, and “talking their ears off” while he was out and about.

Charlie’s family, friends, and community were what brought happiness and joy to his life, including the hundreds of students whom he loved on every bus route he had with Sabine ISD and through community sporting events. Some of the family’s favorite memories include his ability to make people laugh, even if it required him to laugh at himself. His humor was infectious and commanded good spirits when he would finally stop talking long enough for family or friends to escape. Charlie was known to have big dreams, especially getting one of his life-changing creations on Shark Tank. From the homemade ziploc bag purses to the repurposing of all things masking tape, Charlie made sure to keep his family on their toes by creating some of the funniest and most useful contraptions. Although not all of Charlie’s creativity was appreciated, it has brought the family many laughs between the tears of losing him so unexpectedly. The best example is of his sister Janie, who left this earth just a month ago, who had washed the family car when they were teens so she could use it that weekend. Charlie being the great brother he was would wait until she was in the bath to get dressed himself and take off in the shiny clean car! Charlie would give anyone what they needed when he could, “the shirt off his back”, including the time he filled two gas cans and started driving towards south Louisiana to meet his daughter Jennifer with her babies, just in case they ran out while trying to evacuate during Katrina. The only shirts he wasn’t willing to part with were his red shirts with the pockets he wore along each black pair of sweats, the Charlie Gipson wardrobe we all knew and loved. Everyone Charlie met was made to feel that they were the one and only person who would help him solve the world’s problems, whatever those may be at that moment. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Sabine ISD Transportation Department at 5424 FM 1252, Gladewater, Texas 75647.

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