Dr. John "Hoot" Gibson

Dr. John Phillips Gibson (“Hoot”) was born in Kansas on September 18, 1930. He graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1948, lettering in football, basketball and track plus being the highest scorer in Kansas basketball his senior year. A lifetime learner, Hoot obtained a BS, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Masters degree from Kansas State University (KSU) and then a PhD in Veterinary Pathology from The Ohio State University in 1964. While at KSU, his basketball team won the Big 7 Championship twice and placed 2nd in the NCAA tournament in 1951.

As a 1st lieutenant in the US Army, he guarded Chicago from Russian bombers while stationed at navy pier and fought in Korea in the Korean war.

For 30 years, Hoot worked at Merrell Dow Pharmaceutical Company in Cincinnati Ohio, serving as Department Head of Pathology & Toxicology and Senior Director of Drug Safety. Publishing 70 manuscripts, abstracts and book chapters, he also was President, Chairman, and on Editorial Boards and Executive Committees of numerous professional organizations and journals. From 1965 to 1990, Hoot was also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

His athletic success continued throughout his life with his team winning gold medals in basketball and volleyball in the Senior Olympics almost every year 1996 through 2010.

Hoot passed from this life on August 28, 2025 in Mapleknoll Retirement Village in Cincinnati. He was preceded by his beloved wife, Mary Heath Gibson [passed in 2019] and survived by his children Brian (wife Tammy of Cincinnati, grandson Duncan) and Susan (husband Patrick Mealey of Menlo Park, California) plus 7 step grandchildren and 20 step great-grandchildren).

Hoot’s Christian faith was important to him and he was active at Northminster Presbyterian Church for over 50 years, serving as Elder, Deacon, Trustee and leading many committees. He ministered in prisons for 28 years with Transforming Jail Ministries and served in numerous service organizations including Greenhills Kiwanis. Hoot traveled extensively internationally as a consultant, expert witness, speaking at professional meetings and conferences, as well as for pleasure.

His humble, ethical, stable character was evident and Hoot was highly respected and well loved by his communities. Hoot will be greatly missed!

Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, November 8th, 11AM at Maple Knoll Village Chapel, in Springdale. A reception to follow.