Alvin N. "Al" "Sonny" Gibson

Alvin N. "Sonny" Gibson, Jr., died Friday, May 25, 2012, after a brief but valiant battle with brain cancer. A lifelong resident of Knoxville, he lived his early years on Vermont Avenue and was a proud graduate of Rule High School. Al swept Brenda Wilkerson off her feet and away from her family's farm, and they married in 1963. He was drafted in 1966 and served in the U.S. Army as an MP in Germany. After returning to Knoxville in 1968, he drove tractor trailers for Mason-Dixon. With two small children at home, he looked for another opportunity that would allow him to spend more time with his family. Al began selling real estate with Choice One Properties and went to work with ExecuSystems not long after that. He quickly discovered that he had found his calling: a line of work where he could drink coffee, drive a car, and help people find happiness. Al was the longest-tenured realtor at Realty Executives Associates at Land Oak in west Knoxville. He has had the privilege of helping thousands of people find new homes, and he took pride in the integrity of a handshake. Al loved work but considered it fun; he was often seen in the office pouring coffee, needling "the girls," and munching on sweets at the front window. Nothing made him happier than talking about his bride and his children, and more recently, his grandchildren. He lived his life with fervor, and it is the family's hope that all who knew him will cherish the time they spent with him. Missing him most are Brenda Wilkerson Gibson, wife of 48 years; son Craig and wife Kristal Gibson, and granddaughters Amelia and Nora Kate, of Iowa City; and daughter Deborah and husband Chuck Thomas, and grandson Bryce, of Lakeland, Tennessee. Al arrived in heaven to meet his father and mother, Alvin "Newt" and Elsie Harrison Gibson; his father- and mother-in-law Noah and Helen Wilkerson; his niece Amy Wilkerson; his nephew Barry Long. No doubt there have been hugs in heaven. Special thanks to his caregivers during the past three-and-a-half months: his Rule High buddies Bill Burchfield, Claude Grubb, Roy Gose, and Bob Wright; his cousin Jack Harrison and his niece Dena Wright; his brother-in-law Johnny Wilkerson; his friend Lawrence Long; and most of all, his sister- and brother-in-law Linda and Bobby Arden. A celebration of Al's life will take place at 6 PM on Monday at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel with Rev. Bruce Robinson officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. Family and friends will gather at 11:30 AM on Tuesday at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel to travel in a funeral procession to Highland Memorial Cemetery for a 12:00 PM graveside service. Pallbearers: Em Way, Don Anderson, Phil Ford, Dan Green, Phil Schrader, Barry Hensley, Bill Furlong, Daniel Parker. Honorary pallbearers are the men and women of the Rule High School class of 1959, as well as the entire community of realtors in the Knoxville area. Memorials may be made to the Amy Wilkerson Memorial Fund c/o Kiwanis Club, Box 313, Dodge City, Kansas, 67801. Amy was a beloved niece who died of bone cancer at the age of 18. Memorials may also be made to West Lonsdale Baptist Church, 2720 Dayton Street, Knoxville, Tennessee, 37921. Online condolences at www.rosemortuary.com

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Alvin N. "Al" "Sonny" Gibson

May 25, 2012