James S. Gibson obituary
James S. Gibson, 81, of Murfreesboro, passed away on Monday, August 13, 2018, at St. Thomas West Hospital in Nashville from a sudden illness.
He was born March 6, 1937, in Charleston, WV. He was preceded in death by his parents Abney Gibson and Mabel Skeen, and his sister Mary Elizabeth Gibson.
He received his BS & BA from the University of Charleston (formerly Morris Harvey College) in 1958 and his Master of Fine Arts degree in sculpture from Ohio University in 1961. He was Professor of Art (Sculpture) at Middle Tennessee State University from 1970-1999, and was named Professor Emeritus in 2000. He was also inducted into the Alumni Gallery of Achievement by the University of Charleston in 2000. He was a member of the International Sculpture Center. During his 38-year teaching career he influenced countless students and inspired many to attend graduate school.
He was an active sculptor and artist who created over 500 sculptures during his lifetime, working in many different media including wood, steel, aluminum, bronze, and brass. His work is in many national and international collections and exhibitions including Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Turkey, Germany, Austria, and Malta. His work is also held in many Nashville area collections including the Vanderbilt University, Nissan, Bridgestone, and Middle Tennessee State University. His work is also a part of the permanent collections of the states of Tennessee and West Virginia.
His work was “a visual product influenced by memories, experiences, dreams, visions, and things not known.” His sculpture was abstract and materialized in welded metal, carved and constructed wood, or a combination of the two. He felt that his work was an attempt to “render a sense of existence, not an assurance of some meaning.” He was also intrigued by the use of the word ‘marker’ as a metaphor in his work.
He will be remembered for his work ethic, passion for teaching, and for his love of sculpture. He was intellectually sharp with a great wit, had a love of reading and music, and a curiosity for learning about life. He was truly one of a kind and will be missed by his family, friends, and students.
He is survived by Bette J. Gibson (Roberts), his wife of 57 years; by his two sons Derek Gibson of Nashville, TN and Eric Gibson of Whippany, NJ; by his two grandchildren Michael and Spencer Gibson; and by his two great grandchildren Lilly and Zoey.
He was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Charleston, WV. A private service was held on August 16, 2018 at Woodfin Funeral Chapel in Murfreesboro for the immediate family.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in support of university art programs may be made to the Middle Tennessee State University Foundation, MTSU P.O. Box 109, Murfreesboro, TN 37132; or the University of Charleston Office of Advancement, 2300 MacCorkle Ave., SE, Charleston, WV 25304.
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date in both Charleston, WV and Murfreesboro, TN.
An online guest book for the Gibson family is available at www.woodfinchapel.com. Woodfin Memorial Chapel. 615-893-5151.
