John Frank grew up in Dermott with a tight group of friends he remained close to throughout his life. Although his childhood was spent roaming the bayous and woods of the Delta, he was a bit of a bookworm and used to read the Encyclopedia Britannica on Saturday nights when his friends had dates. One of his biggest regrets was not going to see Elvis Presley perform at the Dermott High School. He thought 25₵ was too much to pay to see an unknown singer with a name like Elvis, but he spent the rest of his life trying to imitate Elvis's dance moves.
He graduated from Dermott High School in 1958, served as vice-president of his class, and was the editor of The Ram's Horn, the school yearbook. His passion for the law and civic duty began early, with his attending Arkansas Boys State in 1957, the same year he was voted Most Likely to Succeed by his graduating high school class. He also served as a page for Arkansas Senators John L. McClellan and William Fulbright in the U. S. Senate, while attending the Capitol Page High School at the Library of Congress in Washington, D. C. Although he was somewhat scrawny in stature and suffered from asthma throughout his childhood, that did not stop him from joining the football and basketball teams. In addition to his "amazing" athletic prowess, he also tapped into his artistic abilities as he won a state art contest with a sketch of his dog. After he graduated from high school, he attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he received a degree in accounting and was a walk-on for the UA track team.
John Frank attended law school at Ole Miss, receiving his Juris Doctorate in 1966, after which he began practicing law with his father at Gibson Law Office in Dermott. He served as the legal counsel for the Dermott School District and the general counsel for the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission. In 1974, he established the law firm of John F. Gibson, Attorney-at-Law, where he conducted his law practice for the next fifty years. While serving on the Red River Compact Commission, he was instrumental in urging the Arkansas General Assembly to enact legislation to authorize the development of the Arkansas State Water Plan to ensure future water needs. This landmark legislation authorized the Arkansas Water Development Fund to finance identified projects for this fund, which to date has financed over two billion dollars in water and sewer infrastructure.
John Frank was elected to be Prosecuting Attorney for the 10th Judicial District, which includes Chicot, Desha, Drew, Ashley, and Bradley Counties. However, he was most fulfilled defending the rights of persons accused of criminal offenses. He developed a specialty in DUI cases, hence his license plate "DUILWYR." John Frank was a fierce advocate for his clients in the courtroom but enjoyed close relationships with opposing counsel and witnesses outside of work. Many police officers credit him with making them better at their jobs and John Frank received many career recognitions, including the Monticello Police Department 2020 Citizen of the Year. John Frank worked until his last days and never retired because he was dedicated to his clients and would gladly accept tomatoes, crawfish, or yard work as payment.
Outside of work, his interests were varied and many. He loved all things outdoors, including hunting, birding and fishing with his friends and family as far north as Alaska and as far south as the Amazon River. He became an adventurous gardener later in life and smuggled hot pepper seeds from a trip to Peru to be planted and harvested for his famous barbeque sauce and chili. He also loved growing Bradley and Cherokee tomatoes and cooking wild game specialties. He was an avid Razorback fan, always early to the game so that he could commandeer the perfect tailgate spot for his family and friends. He fancied himself quite the dancer and his years of imitating Elvis paid off when he and Renee won Dancing with the Stars at a Drew Memorial Hospital fund raiser. He loved his local community and supported the UAM Boll Weevils, serving as legal representative for various athletes, as well as a coach for the annual Green/White games. He officiated high school football games all over the state during the '70s and '90s. His fascination for horse racing led him to the purchase of a racehorse, which he questionably boasted was a descendant of Secretariat.
His many friends were very important to him and he cherished golfing, gambling, and carousing with his buddies. John Frank loved to tell people how to drive; he fished out of his treasured pirogue among the cypress trees and occasional alligator on Bayou Bartholomew; he made his own fishing poles out of cane; he met a baseball coach on a plane who said, "come visit me at Spring Training someday," so he did; he hunted deer while temporarily blind; he named a wren that regularly visited him on his carport.
The most important thing to John Frank was family and he would brag about them to anyone who would listen. He was happiest when surrounded by his children with grandbabies in his lap and Renee at his side. John Frank is survived by his wife of thirty years, Renee Treadwell; his brother, Charles Sidney Gibson of Dermott; his five children, Jody Gibson Cummins (Bud) of Little Rock; Jill Odell Gibson (Eric Lochner) of Portland, Oregon; Jamie Gibson Kirley (Wes) of Little Rock; John F. Gibson, III (Nazli) of Monticello; and Caroline Gibson Jones (Austin) of Benton, seventeen grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and his first wife, Judy Hardin Gibson - although they divorced years ago she remained like a sister to him.
Funeral service following Covid-19 guidelines will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 28, 2020 at First United Methodist Church with Lori Fallon officiating. Masks will be required for entry. There will be a livestream on the Church website. Memorials may be made to UAM. To give via phone, text 'JOHNFGIBSON' to 41444. To give online, go to the following link - igfn.us/form/uwNN_A Or mail to Cody Reaves Assistant Athletic Director for External Affairs University of Arkansas at Monticello Department of Athletics P.O. Box 3499 Monticello, AR 71656. . Online guestbook at www.stephensondearman.com.
Condolences(33)
Mike Lonsberry
Guntersville, AL Thursday, December 3, 2020 A John Frank was and is a legend in South Arkansas and probably the whole state, I practiced law in Monticello in the early 80’s. John Frank made me a better lawyer, because against him you had to do your best. When the case was done, he was your best friend. Ash the stories I remember. Rest In Peace my friend, you are probably are giving advice to the Almighty.Foye Lowe
Murrieta, CA Sunday, November 29, 2020 Sorry to hear of John Frank's passing. He was a good man.John and Ember Davis
Monticello, AR Sunday, November 29, 2020 We extend our prayers for John Frank’s family and are thankful to have had the chance to know him.Lynda Burt
Monticello, AR Saturday, November 28, 2020 Renee and family, I pray you find peace during this time of loss. I came to meet John Frank when he not only defended my grandson but made a lasting impression on him. John Frank even attended an awards ceremony for my grandson. The phrase that my grandson and I remember most is when John Frank tapped him on the shoulder and said, "Be your own man!" When I told my grandson about John Frank's passing, he said, that's sad, he was a good man. I will always be grateful for what he (and Renee) did for us.Georgina L Fivecoat
Monticello, AR Saturday, November 28, 2020 John Frank Gibson has been a true friend as well as legal advocate to my daughter and I for more than 20 yrs. My heart grieves with his family. He was truly one of a kind.Lavera Burton
Monticello, AR Saturday, November 28, 2020 I am so sorry to hear about John Frank. It will be a great loss to the community. He was able to help a lot of people over the years.I guess it could be said they broke the mold when he was made. There will never be anyone that can take his place. Prayers for his family. May he Rest In Peace.Bill Lawrence
Russellville, AR Friday, November 27, 2020 Renee and Gibson family so sorry for your loss John Frank was a good friend and I miss him. Enjoyed our trips to Hot Springs and the golf. Great guy,Great friend to All.Melanie Rawls
Monticello, AR Friday, November 27, 2020 So sorry for your loss. He was a great lawyer to me and my familyBob Stark
Monticello, AR Friday, November 27, 2020 John F. III, Renee, and Family:My sympathy is extended to each of you in the passing of Mr. Gibson. I pray that God will provide you comfort, strength, and His eternal peace.
William Paul Gibson
Cross Roads, TX Friday, November 27, 2020 On behalf of my sister, Marianne, and my nieces, Deidre and Marinda, we offer our condolences and sympathy to John Frank's family and friends. He touched so many people with his passion for the law and his love of family and friends. May your memories keep him close always.Karen Eoff
Monticello, AR Friday, November 27, 2020 John Frank was truly one of a kind ! He had such an inquisitive nature. He will be greatly missed by all those that knew him . May your memories of all the lives John Frank has touched bring you peace and comfort.Chris Bynum
New Orleans, LA Friday, November 27, 2020 If you ever danced with John Frank, it is etched in your memory forever. He had the moves! (John Travolta, eat your heart out.) And he brought out the fun in everything. Growing up, I was fascinated by my cousins John Frank and Charles Sidney; each had spunk and a sense of adventure. When we are old enough to begin our independent lives, geography and time separate us, but the bond of family and extended family remains intact. John Frank was a fascinating storyteller, and from my view, he had passion for everything he did. In my memory, he was a fun Dad who let his children explore. I will always remember one of the girls walking around with a possum on her head. He and Judy created a "Discovery Channel" of sorts for their kids. In the next chapter, Renee and John Frank were like kids in love, dancing and laughing. Life to the fullest! My deepest sympathy to the family. But I know John Frank lives on in each of you.Mark and Kathy Tucker
Maumelle, AR Thursday, November 26, 2020 We are saddened to hear about the passing ofJohn Frank. Our prayers for the family.
Linda and Jim Haddock
Lake Village, AR Thursday, November 26, 2020 John Frank was special to us because as soon as we moved to Lake Village we found out he went to Ole Miss law school! He was a good friend !Elgenia and Jim Ross
, AR Thursday, November 26, 2020 Our thoughts and prayers are with John Frank and all his familyElgenia and Jim Ross
Elgenia and Jim Ross
, TX Thursday, November 26, 2020 Our thoughts and prayers are with John Frank and all his family.Elgenia and Jim Ross
John carson
Monticello, AR Thursday, November 26, 2020 I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers to Renee and all of John Frank’s familyJack Belford
, AR Thursday, November 26, 2020 God bless all of John Frank’s children and condolences to my old friend Judy GibsonKit Wallace
Huntsville, AL Thursday, November 26, 2020 Sending you love & healing. My family & I met John at a trip to Orange Beach we stayed in touch after the trip. He was always bragging about his grandkids & his love for life was so obvious. I’m grateful we met him in a short week he made an impact on me that still resides today.Lots of love,
Kit Wallace
Kit Wallace
Huntsville, AL Thursday, November 26, 2020 Sending you love & healing. My family & I met John at a trip to Orange Beach we stayed in touch after the trip. He was always bragging about his grandkids & his love for life was so obvious. I’m grateful we met him in a short week he made an impact on me that still resides today.Lots of love,
Kit Wallace
Christy and David Binns
McGehee, AR Thursday, November 26, 2020 Our condolences to the family. Prayers for comfort and peace during this difficult time.TaNessa R.
Little Rock, AR Thursday, November 26, 2020 John Frank was a kind and gentle man. My prayers and condolences are are the family. So many virtual hugs to my friend, Caroline.Katherine Donald
Little Rock, AR Wednesday, November 25, 2020 I am sorry for your loss.Sincerely,
A daughter of Dermott
Pat Matthews
Maumelle, AR Wednesday, November 25, 2020 To Gibson Family,John Frank and I were cousins and childhood friends. One of my earliest memories of him was walking me to school my first day of first grade. Juanita dropped him off at my house which was about a block from Dermott Schools. He was so proud of himself, he had brought me two sharpened No. 2 yellow pencils. He walked me to my classroom and introduced me to mt teacher, Miss Margie. He told her that if I had any problems she should come to his classroom and get him. I am sure she got a kick out of that because Juanita taught in the same building and she could handle any problem I had. Little did we all know that he would grow up to be a lawyer and me a schoolteacher. We were both proud of our pioneer roots and traced our ancestry back to the Civil War and The Revolutionary War. He reminded me of that often.
I will miss him,
Pat Bynum Matthews
Mark and Judy Mason
Seattle, WA Wednesday, November 25, 2020 Sorry to hear of John Frank’s passing. He was one of a kind. He will be missed. Condolences to the family.Bobette Callahan
Banks, AR Wednesday, November 25, 2020 John Frank will be missed by a lot of people. He touched many lives. May God bless you all, and give you the peace that passes all understanding.Margaret Norton
Maumelle, AR Wednesday, November 25, 2020 Renee and Charles Sidney, I am thinking of you both. SE Arkansas has lost a legend and friend to many people and causes, but you have lost a family member that was larger than life. I am truly sorry for your loss and mourn with you. He was a true friend to many, and I include myself among them. We’d be late at the courthouse in a trial and John Frank would still be telling stories to us all while waiting for a jury to come back. We all will miss him.Tamsrn (Tammy)
Fort Worth, TX Wednesday, November 25, 2020 I wish to extend my condolences, prayers and sympathy to the family and friends of my cousin. May God comfort you all through these painful and difficult days to come. God bless!Kim and David Hoffman
Roland, AR Tuesday, November 24, 2020 Renee and Family,We are so sorry to hear of John Franks passing. Please accept our deepest condolences. You will be in our prayers.
Mark & Karen Jones
Benton, AR Tuesday, November 24, 2020 You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow. May God place his comforting arms around you today and in the days to follow.Doug & Beth Langdon
Warren, AR Tuesday, November 24, 2020 Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you.Quinshanta McCullough-Ross
Montrose, AR Monday, November 23, 2020 Sorry for the loss of Mr. Gibson he was a Dear Friend and blessing to my Family for years. He was a Wonderful person, he will truly be missed.Charlie Mae Smith-Jackson
Monticello, AR Monday, November 23, 2020 My prayers go out to Caroline and her family.