Obituary: GIBSON, JAMES

James Alexander Gibson Jr."Proud Son of Ireland"James Alexander Gibson Jr., proud son of Ireland, returned to his Heavenly family in the early hours of December 17, 2012 following a bravely fought battle with Parkinson's Disease.James was born July 10, 1935 in Los Angeles, California. Early on, he developed a love of classical music and studied clarinet, under the direction of his beloved instructor, Sicorso Pirrolo. In his early years, he traveled between Los Angeles, where he lived with his father, and Salt Lake City, where he would visit his mother and sisters. In Utah, he lived in the Sugarhouse area, specifically, in the Highland Park Stake/Stratford Ward. After finishing high school, he was awarded a scholarship to the Juilliard School of Music but chose instead to serve an LDS Western States Mission.James earned a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from the University of Utah; and shortly thereafter, moved to American Samoa where he spent some of the most beloved years of his life teaching music at Mapusaga LDS High School. He often spoke about the Samoan people, telling us, "They treated me like royalty." He made many lifelong friends and instilled in his family a deep love of the Samoan culture and people.James returned to the United States and obtained his Masters Degree in Music Composition from the University of Utah. While there, he met the love of his life, Kendall Jane Fillmore, they met, quite fittingly, in the music department. The two were married on October 3, 1968 in the Salt Lake Temple and are the proud parents of six children. Together, James and Kendall moved to the Azores and taught school for the U.S. Military, at Lajes Field. Upon returning to the United States, James taught for 22 years in the Salt Lake area, for the Jordan School District.In his spare time, dad tuned pianos, played the clarinet for the Salt Lake Chamber Society, was a member of the Jay Welch Chorale and Orchestra, performed in and led countless musical groups, and composed and arranged countless pieces of music. One of his arrangements is being performed in Elk Ridge, UT this Sunday.He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Kendall Jane Fillmore Gibson, and his children: Tyrone (Adrian), Elizabeth (Thomas) Healy, Michael (Elizabeth), Jonathan (Monica), David (Tanya), and Joshua (Kaela), his sister, Anne (Kent) Rasmussen, and 17 grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his parents, James Alexander Gibson Sr. and Della Marion (Edward) Gibson, his siblings Marion (Ross) Stewart, Kathleen (AJ) Muse, Rebecca (Ken) Lucas and David Michael, as well as five of his and Kendall's unborn children.His family would like to extend a special thank you to all of the staff at Legacy House of Bountiful, but most certainly, to Donette Hurst with Aspire Hospice who cared for him right until the end. A viewing is scheduled for Thursday, December 20, 2012, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Memorial Mortuary located at 5850 South 900 East in Murray, Utah. Friends and family may also visit one hour prior to funeral services.Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, December 21, 2012, 1:00 p.m. at the LDS Church North Canyon 7th Ward located at 3350 South 100 East in Bountiful, Utah. "Good night, sweet prince, and may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!"