Leon Gibson

Leon Clinton Gibson was born October 8, 1951, to Gloria (Swanson) and Earnest Gibson in Denver, Colorado.  He passed away surrounded by loved ones on Sunday, March 13, 2022.

Leon was a native Coloradan and grew up in northeast Denver with two older sisters, Ernestine and Dorothy, and a younger sister, Florence.  A “cradle” Catholic, he was an altar server at St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish and attended Loyola Grade School and Cathedral High School.  He graduated from Manual High School in 1969.  He attended the University of Colorado at Boulder and Regis University before joining the Coors Brewing Company where he worked for more than 40 years as a contract and environmental specialist.

Leon was a loving father to four sons.  Leon Jr. and Michael were born to his first union.  He became a single father when Michael was an infant and parented his sons with the support of his family for several years.  He met Linda Verdun in 1979 and won her heart with his mischievous sense of humor and fun-loving character.  After countless dates of skiing and tennis, their two-year courtship culminated in marriage on January 17, 1981.  They were soon blessed with Kevin and Kristopher.

Leon was warm and kind, making everyone he met feel welcomed.  He loved traveling with friends, playing piano, perfecting his grilling and techniques on the smoker, and serving his guests a bourbon and a smile.  His favorite pastime, however, was golf.  Despite the challenges of living with sarcoidosis, Leon was an avid golfer.  He enjoyed working on his game and helping others improve theirs as well.  He looked forward to the annual “Just the Fellas” golf trip and time spent with his closest friends.  Leon was a loyal friend and counted among his “brothers” Clarence McDavid, whom he knew since childhood, and James (Jim) Williams, a running buddy for more than 50 years.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents and sisters and is survived by his wife of 41 years, Linda; his sons, Leon Jr., Michael (Zenisha), Kevin, and Kristopher; his grandsons, Leon III, Tyler, Dylan, Michael, and Christian; his granddaughters Christina and Khylin; sister-in-law and brothers-in-law, numerous relatives, and countless friends.

Leon loved passionately and was deeply loved in return.  The Gibson family takes comfort that he is resting peacefully in the arms of the Lord.  Donations can be made in memory of Leon Gibson to the Sarcoidosis Program at National Jewish Hospital online at www.nationaljewish.org/donate, by mail at 1400 Jackson Street, Denver, CO, 80202-2762 or by calling Becky Duran at 303-728-6560 X1.