RANDY GIBSON

Palmer resident Randolph Scott Gibson, 25, died Jan. 13, 2004, in an auto collision at Mile 12.3 Old Glenn Highway.

Funeral Services will be held today at 3 p.m. at Joy Lutheran Church, 10111 East Eagle River Loop Road. There will be a celebration of Mr. Gibson's life in the church hall after the services. For those wishing to donate, a memorial account has been set up at Alaska USA Federal Credit Union. Donations should be made payable to Alaska USA, for deposit to account No. 1121839.

Mr. Gibson was born Sept. 23, 1978, to Terry and Irene Gibson. He grew up in Delta Junction. During his junior year he attended the Rural Alaska Honors Institute, graduating with honors. He graduated from Delta High in 1997, spent two years at University of Alaska Fairbanks in the Computer Science program. In 1999 he moved to Anchorage and worked at Alaska Communications Systems as a computer support technician until his death.

He was highly involved in racing dragsters and was named 2001 Rookie of the Year running his '56 Wagon. He was a member of the International Hotrod Association and held a Professional Funny Car license. He was also a member of the Alaska Top Eliminator Club, ranking high in the elite group of racers.

His family wrote, "Randy was taught to always stand tall in the face of diversity, to reach for the highest star, and to always be true to himself and all of his passions. His death comes at a time when he was beginning to achieve all of his goals and had just found the love of his life. He will be greatly missed by all those he touched."

Mr. Gibson is survived by parents Terry and Irene Gibson; brother Joe Gibson all of Delta Junction; sisters Maureena Gibson of Texas and Marilyn Hooper of Las Vegas; fianc/e Megan Cross and future mother-in-law Michele Wiley of Anchorage; grandmother Barbara Trigg of Nome; aunts Julie Analoak, Barbara and Janet Barger of Noatak; grandmother Phyllis Gibson of Oregon; and uncles Steve, Tim and Dave Gibson of Ohio.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home.