Mr. Dennis L. “Hoot” Gibson, age 70, of Warthen, Georgia formerly of Barnwell, South Carolina, died Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at his residence following an extended illness. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 24th at 11:00 a.m. at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Warthen. Reverend Anthony Baker will officiate. A graveside service will also be held on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. at Barnwell County Memorial Cemetery (Airport) in Barnwell with military honors. Reverend Stephen Burnette will officiate. Pallbearers will be Tyler Cato, Tanner Cato, Jacob Daniels, Justin Daniels, Jackson Douglas, Locklin Irby and Harley Irby. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of service and following the service at the church.
Hoot was born in Orangeburg SC., and grew up in Barnwell where he lived most of his life. After graduating high school, he turned down a football scholarship to serve his country in the US Navy. Hoot served in Vietnam as a chief engineer in Harbor Utility Craft Six One and was awarded the Naval Achievement Medal for his distinguished service. Following his military service, Hoot returned home and studied to be a diesel mechanic. He eventually began work as a rigging and heavy equipment supervisor with the Savannah River Site in Aiken, SC. from which he would retire. Hoot was a member of First Baptist Church of Barnwell, where he was active with the church’s construction ministry and he also served as a captain for the Barnwell Rescue Squad. He as an avid fisherman and especially loved to fish the South Carolina coast. While retired in Georgia, Hoot attended Bethlehem Baptist Church. He is predeceased by his parents, Henry Wilbur Gibson and Barbara Anne Felder Gibson.
Survivors are his wife, Gail Brown Gibson of Warthen GA.; children, Denise Gibson of Barnwell, SC., Ashleigh G. Ringus and her husband Adrian of Lexington, SC., Mark Daniels and his wife Shanna of Riddleville, GA., and Stephanie Irby of Stapleton, GA.; grandchildren, Tyler Cato, Tanner Cato, Kinsleigh Ringus, Jacob Daniels, Justin Daniels, Kaitlyn Douglas and her husband Jackson, Locklin Irby and Harley Irby; great grandchildren, Braxton Douglas and Colton Irby; siblings, Annette Heider and her husband Fred of Barnwell, SC., Wells Gibson and his wife Cindy of Little Mountain, SC., and Todd Gibson and his wife Melissa of Barnwell, SC.; and his beloved dog, Dixie.
May and Smith Funeral Directors of Sandersville is in charge of Georgia Arrangements.
Mole Funeral Home of Barnwell is in charge of South Carolina arrangements.