Floyd Wayne Gibson

Floyd Wayne Gibson of Eufaula, Oklahoma, passed away at the age of 79. Born in 1945 to Melba Violet (Lawson) and Floyd Hubert Gibson in Oklahoma City, Floyd received an Associate in Arts from Independence Community College in Independence, Kansas; a Bachelor of Science in Education from Pittsburgh State University in Kansas; and a Master of Arts from Fort Hays State College in Kansas. Floyd was a master printmaker and multi-disciplined artist.

Professionally, Floyd taught visual art at Salina Central High School in Salina, Kansas, for more than 30 years. In 1979, he was commissioned by the Salina Arts and Humanities Commission to paint two murals for the city’s newly constructed Bicentennial Center. The murals, which depicted the natural beauty and history of Kansas, awed thousands of visitors to the Center and remained permanently installed there for over 30 years.

Floyd spent his retirement in Eufaula, Oklahoma, where he launched a second career as a professional artist, traveling the country to art shows and winning many “Best in Show” prizes for his watercolors and etchings. Floyd dedicated his life to educating, drawing, painting, and printmaking. His body of work, spanning six decades and encompassing both two- and three-dimensional mediums, reflects his high regard for disciplined technique and offers thoughtful perspectives on humanity and the natural world.

Floyd was also an avid golfer and served as a golf coach during his teaching career.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barbara (Ray) Gibson; his sister, Janet (Gibson) Hoover; his two children, Michael Gibson (Elayne Gibson) and Amie (Gibson) Goins (Christopher Goins); four grandchildren: Samantha Collins, Daniel Goins, Aaron Goins, and Trinity Gibson and their respective families, all of whom he loved without reservation; and hundreds of former students, friends, and colleagues around the country.

A memorial service honoring Floyd’s life will be held Wednesday, October 30th at 10:30 a.m. at Canadian United Methodist Church, 208 SE Cheadle St, Canadian, OK 74425. Donations in Floyd’s memory may be made to your local Humane Society, or the charity of your choice.