Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

September 22, 2023

CHARLOTTE – Paul Eugene Gibson, 90, peacefully passed away on Friday, September 22, 2023, due to complications from a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.  Born in Charlotte on October 28, 1932, Paul was the son of the late Dewitt Talmadge Gibson and Mabel Coyle Gibson.

Paul attended local schools and graduated from Central High School in 1951.  His life-long love of sports was curated throughout his school years and playing on the football and basketball teams. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in economics.  He was a member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity.

Upon graduation from college, Paul was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force.  He received his wings as a Navigator and Radar Intercept Operator.  Paul served on active duty until 1959 when he returned to Charlotte.  Later he joined the North Carolina Air National Guard and served until his retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1978.  During this time, he flew many support and supply missions around the world, including during the Vietnam War.  Upon his retirement, he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for meritorious service.

Paul’s civilian career focused on real estate finance and commercial real estate development that included positions with North Carolina National Bank (NCNB), Blythe Construction, and with the commercial real estate investment and development company he co-founded, Alexander-Gibson and Company.  During his lengthy career, he was instrumental in the founding of the Charlotte Commercial Board of Realtors and was a member of the Charlotte Certified Development Corporation, serving two terms as president.  Paul was also a member of the Charlotte Board of Realtors, the NC Board of Realtors, and the National Board of Realtors.  He retired in 2000.

A member for over 60 years at Myers Park United Methodist Church, he served on numerous boards and committee over the years.  He was a former Rotarian and a Paul Harris Fellow.  He was also a long-time member of the Good Fellows Club and the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra Society.

Paul married the love of his life, Marion Blanton, on July 30, 1960 and celebrated 55 years of marriage until her untimely passing in 2016 from brain cancer.  He missed her each and every day for the past seven years.  Paul and Marion traveled the world together, sharing their passions for other cultures, especially those in Spain. They were a dynamic couple whose love for one another and for their children, Paul Jr. and Elizabeth, was boundless.  We take great comfort in knowing he is with her now.

Paul was completely devoted to his family and friends. There was nothing that made him happier than having a home filled with family, friends, and his children’s friends at his homes in Charlotte or in Boone, NC at Hound Ears.  He was known to always fill up Paul Jr.’s and Elizabeth’s cars with gas and put a few dollars in their pockets when they were leaving Charlotte after a visit when they were young adults.  A master joke and storyteller, he loved to make others chuckle and entertained with a tale. His laugh was infectious, and his blue eyes sparkled with delight whenever he was in good company.  During Paul Jr.’s and Elizabeth’s childhood, you could find him coaching their Little League teams and attending their many sporting and school events – staying to the very end of the long swim and track meets.  He instilled in his children the commitment to and support of community, the love for all people, and giving back to others.  His generous spirit, sense of humor, and love of life will be missed immensely.

Golf was one of his passions and he developed treasured friendships that extended beyond the golf course.  Paul and a few of his golfing buddies joined Senior Scholars at Queens University, and he enjoyed feeding his ongoing interest and curiosity in current events, history, civic topics, and literature.

Music was always present in his life, from albums being played on the stereo, to radio stations broadcasting his favorite tunes, to singing hymns in church.  His love of music was a constant and it brought him profound joy and happiness during his journey with Alzheimer’s.

Paul is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Gibson Hopkins and her husband, Tom Vasiliauskas of Chapel Hill and son, Paul E. Gibson, Jr. and his girlfriend, Patty Drummond of Charlotte.  He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.  Paul was predeceased by his beloved wife, Marion Blanton Gibson, and two brothers, R. Dean Gibson and J. Gilbert Gibson.

The family would like to thank all those who helped care for Paul at Asbury Health and Rehabilitation at Aldersgate, especially Evette, Marie, and Alana and Renee Brooks with Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region for her love, support, and compassion.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 PM on Friday, September 29, 2023, at Myers Park United Methodist Church with the Reverend Jessica Dayson officiating.  The family will receive friends following the memorial service in Jubilee Hall. The service will be livestreamed at https://boxcast.tv/channel/avywlradrkwnpw81mpef for those unable to attend the service in person. 

Memorials may be offered in memory of Paul to Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC 28207 or through the church’s website at www.myersparkumc.org/give or to the Empty Stocking Fund through the Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte, PO Box 31128, Charlotte, NC 28231 (https://salvationarmycharlotte.org/greater-charlotte/empty-stocking-fund).

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.