 TENNESSEE FREE TRAPPERS ASSOCIATION
Bob is currently serves as the Middle TN Director for the TFTA. |
Mr. Burl Gibson, 85 of Lebanon, TN died June 23rd at University Medical Center. A Wilson County native, he was born January 26, 1917 to William Charles and Emma Lee Heron Gibson. He was retired from Dupont. In past years he was a farmer, railroad worker, a carpenter and laborer until he became employed by Dupont from where he retired. He also had a lawn care service for sometime until he eventually retired from it also. He was a current director for the Tennessee Free Trappers Association and was present at every meeting and Fur Auction. Survivors include two sons, Marvin (and wife Florence) of Lebanon, TN; Robert (and wife Sherri) of Mt. Juliet, TN.
Burl was a very knowledgeable man and avid outdoorsman with a great respect for nature and a passion for trapping.. He understood the things we generally don’t see or realize. He could give you a home remedy for just about anything that ailed you and was a master at trapping foxes. I have seen pictures when he was trapping full time of them when he trapped numbers of foxes in the hundreds. He also raised mink in the 1950’s. As a young boy, Burl built dead falls in the woods and put many a skunk, coon and possum hide on a board. He continued to trap through his retirement years up until he did not feel safe going out by himself for the danger of falling, etc. To look at Mr. Gibson, you would always think he was about 15 years younger than he really was. He enjoyed gardening, fishing and hunting.
For the past few years, I had asked Burl to come along with me on my trap line and he always looked forward to checking traps the next morning to see what sets connected. I will always remember the conversations we both had about when he was a lot younger and trapping and hunting enabled him to put food on the table, clothing on their backs and presents under the tree for Christmas. I enjoyed his company and am fortunate to learn some of the trapping skills that he taught me. He enjoyed teaching upcoming trappers about sets and what he has personally experienced in the past while trapping. Burl was a good friend indeed and he will be greatly missed by many. My Deepest Sympathy goes out to his surviving sons Marvin & Bob Gibson and their families. The entire trapping community has lost a one of a kind man that had an upmost regard for people and all things in life. It’s a shame that we are slowly losing these types of trappers than can never be replaced. It was an honor to know Burl and have him as a friend and role model. This special person will always be remembered in our hearts.
--respectfully submitted by Chris Jacobsen
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