Dr. Thomas Ashford Gibson died Feb. 15, 2024 after a short illness. He was 92.

Born in 1931 in Philadelphia, Pa., the only child of Thomas and Corinne Gibson, Tom
graduated from Huntsville High School in 1948, and received a bachelor’s degree from
Emory University in 1952, graduating early to enter the school’s medical school.

He met his future bride, Jeri Smith, and married her in 1954 in Rome, Ga. The couple
welcomed three children – Tom, Bill, and Jeri. The accomplishments of his children and
grandchildren were his greatest treasures.

After graduating from Emory’s School of Medicine in 1955, he served his internship at
Fitzsimons Army Hospital and his residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
After stints with the U.S. Medical Corps, Polk County Hospital, and a family practice in
Bartow, Fla., he began his radiology practice in 1968 at Scottsboro’s Jackson County
Hospital. In 1978, Dr. Gibson founded Valley Radiology, where he practiced until his
retirement in 2006 at the age of 75. Even after stepping away from his daily duties, he
was diligent about researching the latest developments in the radiology field.

Dr. Gibson was active in the medical community, holding positions on boards in
Scottsboro, as well as the state of Alabama. He was the president of the Alabama
Academy of Radiology from 1988-89 and served in numerous roles affiliated with
Jackson County during a span of 50 years.

He was also involved with civic institutions throughout the years, serving as member of
the Scottsboro Rotary Club from 1969 until his death, and its president from 1973-1974.

He and his wife were longtime members of Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He
enjoyed traveling all around the United States to visit the colleagues and friends that he
met during his career. A bucket-list trip to India in 2006 was particularly meaningful to
him.

Throughout his life, his biting wit and the poems and songs that he wrote for each of his
grandchildren (to their chagrin) made him an unforgettable character to all who crossed
his path.

Keeping to his commitment to scientific research throughout his life and beyond, Dr.
Gibson donated his body to the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of
Medicine. The family will honor his life with a private service.

He is predeceased in death by his parents and his son, Bill. He is survived by his wife,
Jeri, his son Tom (Mary); daughter Jeri (Rich); daughter-in law, Anne; seven
grandchildren, Cassidy Cobbs, Margaret Gibson (Michael Gegenheimer), Elizabeth
Gibson, Rich Minford (Nic Rae), Katy Gibson, Mitchell Minford (Christina), and Thomas
Gibson; and not one damn great-grandchild.