Lloyd L. Gibson

It is with much sorrow to report the death of Coach Lloyd Gibson.

Lloyd Leckie Gibson Jr., 77, of Fredericksburg passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009. He was born July 26, 1932, in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Gibson graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, Montgomery Junior College and Lynchburg College. He served as a corpsman in the U.S. Navy.

Lloyd was a longtime member of The Presbyterian Church in Fredericksburg. He was a member of the Fredericksburg Host Lions Club where he was a past president.

Lloyd's true love was his career. He taught and coached at Caroline High School from 1958 to 1969. He coached baseball, basketball and football. He started the track program and won three consecutive state titles. While at Caroline he coached the football team to district championships in 1964, 1965 and 1967.

In 1969, Lloyd moved to Fredericksburg to coach at James Monroe High School. While at James Monroe, he coached track, football and basketball. In 1972, his basketball team went 25-0 to win the state title. It has been said that this '72 Jackets team was the area's best ever. Coach Gibson was also athletic director at James Monroe from 1970 to 1992. After his retirement he remained a loyal supporter of the James Monroe athletic program. He also was an avid golfer.

Lloyd is survived by his wife, Dottie Gibson; his children, Michael Gibson and his wife, Michelle, of Spotsylvania County, and Stephanie Swanson and her husband, Tom, of Belpre, Ohio; one grandson, Ryan Swanson of Belpre; two stepdaughters, Tracy Barragan of Spotsylvania and Kimberly Riley and her husband, Brett, of Clearwater, Fla.; and two stepgrandsons, Mickey and Jackson Riley of Florida. Lloyd was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Becky Gibson.

Family visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at the funeral home. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens immediately following the service. The Rev. Allen H. Fisher Jr. will preside over the service, along with the Rev. Patrick Dennis.

Pallbearers will be Paul Neal, Mike McGee, Richard Garnett, James Carneal, Marion Timberlake, Joseph Lanford, Carlton Musselman and Robert Hornbuckle.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Fredericksburg Presbyterian Church, 810 Princess Anne St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401.

Online guest book at Covenant Funeral service.