Marvin Ray Gibson, ENC SW, USN (Ret.)

Marvin Ray Gibson, known to many as Ray or “Chief Gibson” passed away at home on July 20, 2026, in Kilgore, Texas. He was born January 3, 1943, in Plaquemine, Louisiana, to Cecil and Lucille Gibson and lived a life marked by service, devotion to family, and a quiet, steady nature.

Ray graduated from Kilgore High School, continued his education at Kilgore College, where he earned an associate degree, and completed numerous Naval schools during his years of military service. He served in the United States Navy for 20 years, building a distinguished career that reflected both commitment and courage. During that time, he served on diesel boat submarines, troop transports, destroyers, fleet tugs, harbor tugs, LSDs, and APAs. From May 1966 to May 1967, he served in Vietnam on river patrol boats, better known as “PBR”s or “swift boats”. Most of his decorations, medals, and citations were earned during his military service during the Vietnam war where he was exposed to Agent Orange. Those who knew him also knew him as a laid-back, quiet man whose presence brought calm and steadiness to those around him. However, he did have a sense of humor!

Ray married Libby Rozelle Garcia on May 20, 1965. Together they had three children and were married until her untimely passing May 10, 1993. A year after Libby’s passing, Ray was reunited with Katherine “Kay” Kerstetter. They were married June 20, 1994.

Ray is survived by his wife Katherine “Kay” Kerstetter Gibson; his daughter Kellie Marie Berryhill; daughter Kimberly (Gibson) Williams; son James Ray Gibson and his wife Terra; step-son Terry Dwayne Stevens and his wife Reneé; as well as his brother Jerry C. and his wife Lois Gibson. There are also seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Libby, mother Lucille, father Cecil, sisters; Rolene, Pat, Paula, Donna Jane; brother Bobby Joe, Aunt Faye Massad, and son-in-law William Berryhill.

Ray will be remembered with love by his family and by all who knew him, for a life of honorable service, enduring loyalty, and quiet strength.

An urn interment will be held Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Lakewood Memorial Cemetery, 1001 North Van Buren Street, Henderson, Texas 75652.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in memory of Marvin Ray Gibson be made to Texas Oncology at 1300 N. 4th Street in Longview, Texas, 75601.