Ray Gibson Obituary

Raymond Joseph Gibson was born on June 19th 1952 to George and Viola (Potthoff) Gibson in Kadoka, SD. He was baptized July 6th 1952 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Norris, SD, the beginning of a long and committed relationship with the Lord through the Catholic Church.

As the youngest of 6 kids he spent his early days learning about pumping gas, helping with janitorial services, and rosary prayers with his mother. Ray attended school in Norris, SD through the 8th grade. He attended high school in Kadoka, SD where he excelled in football. Ray attended Black Hills State University studying history and playing on the football team.

After college Ray returned to Kadoka to start work in construction, get into antics with buddies, and marry the love of his life. Ray and Karen were married on October 28, 1978 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka. They welcomed their first daughter Hannah. Family and job opportunity brought them to Rapid City where he worked at Sooper Dooper Grocery alongside many family members, and Ray and Karen welcomed another daughter, RaeAnn.

In Philip, SD, Ray began a career in concrete, and they welcomed their son, Emery. Their family moved into the home that would go on to host holidays and loved ones, be a place their grandchildren would grow in and make memories for years to come. Ray established Gibson Concrete Construction and Bad River Redi-Mix in 1996 starting in his back yard, and grew his business to serve many adjoining communities. He loved getting to work alongside his son and grandchildren. Ray also enjoyed being a member of the Knights of Columbus, performing in several community plays, and remaining very active in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip.

Ray never encountered a person he couldn’t have a conversation with or a topic he couldn’t chat about. He was a principled man, who didn’t compromise on the things that were important to him. Ray loved people and was known for doing all he could to help them out.

Ray is preceded in death by his mother and father, brothers Jerry and George, brother-in-law Ross Michaels, sister-in-law Debbie Neiffer, and nephews Shayne Gibson and Michael (Charles) Michaels.

He is survived by his wife Karen, daughter Hannah (Matt) Griffin, daughter RaeAnn (JR) Snyder, son Emery (Mariah) Gibson, brother Bernard (Carol) Gibson of Box Elder, sister Lillian Michaels of Mount Vernon, Washington, and sister Mary (Gene) Paola of McMinnville, Oregon, Grandchildren Jaisa, Parker, Keelee, Kaia, Rainee, Karsyn, Cannin, Kingsley, and several in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

Visitation will be held 5:30-7:30 p.m. with a Christian Funeral Vigil service at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, at Rush Funeral Home in Philip.

A Christian Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Thursday, March 13, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip.

A Christian Funeral Committal will be held at 1:45 p.m. Thursday, March 13, at the Kadoka Cemetery.

Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 732 Philip, SD 57567.

Service Details

VISITATION
Wednesday, March 12, 2025 - 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Rush Funeral Home
Philip, South Dakota

CHRISTIAN FUNERAL VIGIL SERVICE
Wednesday, March 12, 2025 - 7:30 p.m.
Rush Funeral Home
Philip, South Dakota

CHRISTIAN FUNERAL MASS
Thursday, March 13, 2025 - 11:00 a.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

OFFICIATING
Fr. Grant Gerlach

MUSIC
Maureen Palecek - Pianist
Brittney Drury - Cantor
“10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)” #544
“Here I Am Lord” #393
“One Bread, One Body” #327
“Song of Farewell” #815
“How Great Thou Art” #469

ALTAR SERVERS
Tel Guptill - Tess Guptill

READERS
Rita O’Connell - Vicki Pavlas

USHERS
Tom Pavlas - Tom Lesselyoung

PALLBEARERS
Jaisa Snyder - Parker Snyder
Nels Crowser - Craig Coller - Paul Vander May
Bill Buchholz - Paul Gropper - Jim Rock

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Keelee Griffin - Kaia Griffin - Rainee Snyder
Karsyn Griffin - Cannin Snyder - Kingsley Griffin
and All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

CHRISTIAN FUNERAL COMMITTAL
Thursday, March 13, 2025 - 1:45 p.m.
Kadoka Cemetery
Kadoka, South Dakota

Guest Book

Many prayers for his family. I worked with Ray at sooper dooper. He was a very good man. I am so sorry for your loss.
~ francis wilson Custer sd (3/9/2025)

Butch Bader, Mobridge.
~ Butch Bader 918 8th St West (3/10/2025)

I was so sorry to hear about Ray’s passing. I always enjoyed with Ray and you at our get together’s . He will be sorely missed. You all have my sympathy.
~ De Gibson Highmore, SD (3/13/2025)

Our hearts are with you during this difficult time. May your many wonderful memories comfort you. Ray was a wonderful man.
~ Pat and Monty Slayton The Villages, Florida (3/13/2025)

I always enjoyed visiting with Ray. My deepest sympathy to the Gibson family.
~ Boyd Waara Philip (3/8/2025)

My thoughts and prayers to Ray's family and friends. He was a great guy. Special hugs and love to RaeAnn, JR, Jaisa, Parker, Rainee, and Cannin, my nieces and nephews.
~ Donna Bodkin Craven Rapid City (3/8/2025)

So sorry to hear about Ray. I knew Ray for a lot of yrs, as we graduated high school together. Sympathy and prayers for all of Ray's family.
~ Tom Struble Philip (3/7/2025)

Dear Karen and Family, Ray was such a kind and gentle man, it was nice getting to know both of while I was in Philip. Your love will go on forever! My sincere sympathy to all of you in the days ahead.
~ Mary Kay Sandal Hartford (3/14/2025)

Ray was the kindest man and he will be missed,so sorry karen and family!!
~ Gina Thorson Philip (3/7/2025)

Hannah and RaeAnn,
My Deepest Sympathy. Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers. Sending hugs your way.
~ Fawna Geigle Sturgis (3/9/2025)

I will always remember karaoke nights, all of us having fun singing, laughing & enjoying life. And the Philip Theatrical productions I was in with Ray…he had the kindest personality. His big heart & his big smile will be remembered by everyone he ever met! My deepest sympathies to you, Karen & to your entire family. What a great loss to the community. Lifting you up in prayers.
~ Cindy Nuzum Wall, SD (3/8/2025)

Sorry to hear of Ray's passing. Enjoying knowing him at Kadoka and Black Hills State.
~ Tim & Peggy Lester Austin, TX (3/16/2025)

We are thinking of all you folks during this difficult time. We were so sad to hear of Ray's death, he was a great man. He done a lot for our little town, he will be missed by many. Hold on to all the memories.
~ Les & Joann Pearson Philip, SD (3/9/2025)

Sometimes it's really hard to write a message about someone who is loved by all. Ray was that person. We've had some really great times with him and Karen, embedded in our hearts and minds forever. You will be missed Ray, but know that you're still telling stories of some kind in God's Heaven. Prayers are with you and your family. We love you forever.inda and Richard
~ Linda Mansfield LeMars Iowa (3/7/2025)

I (Russ) first met Ray and Karen and their two little girls around 1986 when we moved in next door to them in Rapid Valley, SD. They were the greatest neighbors a person could ever have. Ray was a BIG guy with a BIG heart, but as gentle as a lamb. Our hearts are aching over his sudden passing, but Karen, Ginger and I want you and all your family to know what a blessing it was to see you both at Wall Drug for lunch February 25th, 2025. The hugs and happy reunion really made our trip worthwhile. If I could say one last thing to Ray, it would be this... "Ray, thank you for letting me take a turn playing Super Mario on ya'll's Nintendo!" I love you sir and will miss you very much. Karen, we love you with all our hearts and Lord willing, we'll see you again very soon.
Russ & Ginger
~ Russ and Ginger Knowles Deatsville, Alabama (3/9/2025)

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this very sad time. I can't tell you how many times Ray has helped me out over the years. He was a very generous and giving person. The whole community will miss him greatly.
~ Marion ,& Darlene Matt Philip, SD (3/8/2025)

Enjoyed listening to his many entertaining stories. Always made people smile and laugh. He will be greatly missed.
~ Lucas Moulton Sioux City (3/7/2025)

Ray was a most wonderful person and a good friend. I admired his work ethic and his dedication to quality concrete. He was generous with his time and materials and helped me teach concrete to kids in schools.
~ Marion (M. R.) Hansen 297 W. Elm St. (3/9/2025)

RaeAnn, J.R, Jaisa, Parker, Rainee and Cannin,
Our hearts go out to all of you for the loss of your father, father-in-law, grandfather. We hope your happy memories will help you through this difficult time. Know you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Hugs to you and we love you!
~ Don, Wanda, Alex, Riley and Gabby Nebraska (3/12/2025)

Karen and family, I am so sorry to hear about Ray's passing. He will be missed.
~ Sloan Joens Black Hawk SD (3/11/2025)

Ray was a great friend, always so kind and polite. Rest in peace.
~ Scott Bison (3/8/2025)