Wiley Norris Gibson

Wiley Gibson of Siletz, OR passed peacefully at home with family around him on September 6, 2017, ending his battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a rare neuro degenerative disease. He was 69 years old. Wiley was born on January 16, 1948 to Paul and Ellen Gibson in Portland, OR. Wiley and his brother, Dustinn, grew up on the family farm in Siletz, OR. Gibson Farms was established in 1937 by their grandfather, Lee Gibson. Wiley graduated in 1966 from Siletz High School. His passion for aviation emerged at a young age when he earned his private pilot license at age 16. After high school, Wiley continued his education at Oregon State University (OSU) where he earned a BS in Food Science & Technology in 1970. After graduating from OSU, Wiley joined the Air National Guard Reserves and attended Lane Community College to receive an Airframe & Powerplant mechanic license. He spent the majority of his time in the Reserves working on helicopters. After graduating from LCC and while in the Reserves, he worked for the Agripac Cannery in Eugene, OR. In 1976, Wiley's parent's, Paul and Ellen Gibson, retired from farming. Wiley chose to come back to his roots in Siletz, OR and took over Gibson Farms as a third-generation farmer. He met his bride, Amy (Ward) Gibson at Eugene First Baptist Church in 1977. They were married on May 13, 1978, and recently celebrated 39 years together. They made their home on the farm in Siletz, where they raised their two children, Brenton and Lorissa Gibson. Wiley retired from farming in 2014, when effects of PSP limited him from doing his work. At this time, Lorissa and her husband, Alan Fujishin, took over Gibson Farms and are fourth-generation farmers. Wiley exhibited the true spirit of a farmer: hard-working, gentle, and always helpful to those in need. He never missed an opportunity to support his local community and build it up. He worked incredibly hard and he played hard too. His hobbies included backpacking, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, downhill skiing, scuba diving, hunting, camping, cooking amazing food, and aviation. The one hobby that stood out above them all was aviation, a hobby that was a constant from before he was 16 years old until 2007 when he chose to give it up due to health reasons. He lived for his family and he poured his heart and soul into providing the best opportunities for them. Words cannot express his joy when he met his granddaughters; they were his sunshine. Wiley was preceded in death by his mother, Ellen Gibson; father, Paul Gibson; and brother, Dustinn Gibson. He is survived by his wife, Amy Gibson of Siletz; son, Brenton Gibson and his wife Brooke of Corvallis; daughter, Lorissa Fujishin and her husband Alan of Siletz; granddaughters Cora Fujishin, Callie Gibson, and Bryn Gibson. The family is grateful for the compassionate caregivers who took care of Wiley for the past year and a half as his disease progressed. Special mention to Terri Lancaster for all her compassion and selfless giving as she strove to go above and beyond to provide the absolute best care for Wiley. Wiley chose to be cremated and asked his ashes be brought back to the farm he was raised on and that he invested in to provide for his family while giving them the unique and increasingly rare small, family farm upbringing. There will be a service open to the community at 10:00am on September 23, 2017 at the Siletz school gymnasium. No flowers or gifts are necessary.

Tributes

Wiley Norris Gibson

January 16, 1948 - September 6, 2017