Jeanie and I attended Smokey's ninetieth birthday party Sunday. He looked good, but stayed in a chair beside his walker. Many took turns visiting the wise gentleman. We visited mainly with Don and Lois Wallace. Alice, Smokey's son and others gave a magnificent partyon his behalf. Alice said seventy-seven were invited and I think at least fifty were there. Not bad for a ninety year old Portsmouth guy.
Earl Smokey Gibson
Just a few things I know about Coach Smokey Gibson:
He played on an undefeated Portsmouth High School football team (about 1939 or 1940)
He helped coach an undefeated football team in 1954 or 1955
He is a classy gentleman and very easy to befriend
He married Alice on the banks of the Ohio River in Portsmouth
He used to cop a few good stories from the internet
He is a tough guy but oh so gentle
He loves my hometown of Portsmouth Ohio
Roy Rogers uncle (Hono Sly) taught him fishing on the Ohio River
He is in excellent shape, I didn’t say perfect for a young guy of 90
Jack Horton, once one of Portsmouth’s toughest but gentlest street fighters, said Smokey was respected and not to be messed with for his SF abilities.
Jeanie and I are proud to have him as our friend
He obtained a BS and a MA from Eastern Kentucky University- then Eastern State Teacher’s College
He was a forward observer officer for the US Army in WWII
He drove me to Ironton to celebrate the 100th birthday of Portsmouth Spartan and Detroit Piston star Glenn Presnell
Alice is a good friend like Smokey
Smokey was the most loyal friend to General Tom Schulte in the months before his death
Sam Kegley
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