John David Gibson, Jr., 66, of Avenue, MD died July 31, 2009 at his residence after a long battle with cancer. Born November 1, 1942 in Leonardtown, MD, he was the son of the late John D. Sr. and Mary Dora Gibson.

He is survived by one sister, Delores Burch of Compton, MD. He is also survived by his wife of 44 years, Phyllis A. (Stasch) Gibson, whom he married on May 15, 1965 at Immaculate Conception Church in Mechanicsville, MD. Together they had two beautiful daughters, Pamela S. (Gibson) Long and her husband, Paul of Hollywood, MD and Lisa A. (Gibson) Buckler and her husband Glenn of Avenue, MD. He is survived by three beautiful and loving grandchildren; Adrienne Buckler of Savannah, GA, Allison Buckler of Avenue, MD and Paul Long of Hollywood, MD.

He adored and loved spending time with his grandchildren and going on many family vacations together, dining out and watching NASCAR races. He will miss their smiling faces and always calling for Pop! He was someone who knew how to enjoy life and he shared so many good times with us all. He also leaves behind one very special aunt, Eunice Guy of Loveville, MD; mother-in-law, Agnes Stasch of Mechanicsville, MD; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Paul and Paula Stasch of Okolona, MS and David and Cindy Stasch of Mechanicsville, MD, brother-in-law, Jerry Burch of Charlotte Hall, MD and nieces and nephews; Taylor Stasch, Angie Roberts, Becky Sternberg, Kristin Stasch, Kelsey Stasch, Kylie Stasch, David Stasch, Jr., Jerry Burch, Jr., and Charles Burch.

John David graduated from Margaret Brent High School in 1960. He went to work at Indian Head Naval Base for one year and then started his 46 year career as a brick mason working for Pierce & Gibson, Deane Guy Masonry and Quality Masonry during that time. He was known for this witty sense of humor and telling jokes. He enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard in 1964 and was stationed at Ft. Leonardwood, MO and received an Honorable Discharge in 1970. He was an avid softball player playing for Pierce & Gibson and Capt. Sam's softball teams for twenty some years and coached Capt. Sam's Young Men's and Women's Softball teams in the St. Mary's county Young Men's/Women's League. He was inducted into the St. Mary's County Young Men's Softball League "Hall of Fame" on November 9, 1996. He enjoyed watching all professional sports: baseball, basketball, football, ice hockey, golf and especially NASCAR. His favorite drivers were Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, August 2, 2009 from 2:00-5:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD where prayers will be said at 3:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, August 3, 2009 at 10:00 AM at Holy Angels Catholic Church, Avenue, MD with Fr. William Gurnee officiating. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Bushwood, MD. Pallbearers will be Thomas (Boozie) Farrell, George Payne, Eddie Payne, Ronnie Guy, Pete Griffin and Ronnie Trossbach. Honorary pallbearers will be players of Capt. Sam's Young Men's Softball Team- George Bowles, David Nelson, Jebb Morris, Keith Williams, Mark Bailey, Gene Woodburn, Charlie Russell, David Russell, Jimmy Ryce, Wayne Buckler, Glenn Buckler, Ricky Nelson, Jim Hayden, Mike Wathen, Bernie Mayor, Joey Lynch and Mike Wise.

Contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650 and/or the Seventh District Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 7, Avenue, MD 20609.

Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home.