Raymond H. Gibson, retired teacher, coach
Raymond H. Gibson, 85, of Oxford, Fla., died Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, at Cornerstone Hospice & Palliative Care in Florida, with his beloved wife, Lee, by his side. Ray had many adventures in his life, and he is on to the next one.
Ray was born and raised in Lewes, the fourth of five children of the late George H. Gibson and Anna Hazard Gibson. Ray was married three times. He married Sarah in 1964 with whom he had two children (Tammy and Joe). He married Sherill in 1987 and welcomed two stepdaughters (Deborah and Teresa) into his life. He married Lee in 2011.
A member of the Lewes High School Class of 1959, Ray played varsity football, basketball, and baseball and was a member of the marching band. He was awarded full athletics scholarships to Wesley Junior College (1959-62) and later University of Maryland at College Park (1962-64). Ray was an offensive lineman for the Terrapins football team and earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education. He later earned a master’s degree in physical education from George Washington University. He became a physical education and health teacher in Montgomery County School system in Maryland, working at several schools including Kennedy High School and Lee Junior High School. He coached multiple sports, including many seasons of high school basketball. He worked various jobs in the summers, including installing vinyl siding and rototilling gardens. After retirement from teaching in 1995, Ray moved to Florida with his second wife. He worked for a while at Disney World, where he greatly enjoyed interviewing visitors to the park. He also started a successful pressure washing business, eventually passing it on to a younger man who needed the foothold and was grateful for the opportunity.
Ray always said, “You take your good times with you.” He was a happy person with many friends. He had a lifetime love of sports, especially watching them on ever-larger televisions. For many summers while living in Highland, Md., with his first wife and kids, he had a large and bountiful garden, just like his own father. Once he retired, he was able to focus on his hobbies. He played countless rounds of golf, collecting many great golf buddies and a few holes-in-one. He took numerous cruises, especially with his wife Sherill. He rode thousands of miles on his various recumbent bikes and took it on the road for cross-country adventures with his friend Ron. He greatly enjoyed healthful living with Lee, including growing their own sprouts, and their move to The Villages area of Florida. All in all, Ray enjoyed life and loved to live capriciously. Anyone who has ever been on a trip with him can tell you that he wasn’t much of a planner but somehow lucked into various adventures of lifetime.
Ray is survived by his daughter, Tammy Kolda (husband Ken); his son Raymond J. “Joe” Gibson (wife Monica); his grandchildren, Annabelle and Dean Gibson; and his siblings, Betty Anderson and Jack Gibson. He was predeceased by his siblings, Bee Gibson and Janet Heilman. Ray also leaves behind his stepfamily, including grandchildren Sarah, Harrison, Alexandra and Christina.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 15, at Banks Page-Theus Funeral Home in Wildwood, Fla. Livestreaming will be available.
In lieu of flowers, donate to Rails-To-Trails Conservancy, railstotrails.org/support-us/memorial-contribution.
