Holland Monroe Gibson Jr., 96, of Raleigh, went to be with the Lord on Nov. 29, 2025, after a valiant battle with stage four cancer, a stroke, and a broken femur.
He was born in Hamlet on June 26, 1929 to the late Holland Monroe Gibson and Mattie Lou Thomas. The oldest of four children, Holland “Hoot” Gibson was a protective older brother to Willie Mae, Frances and Jeanette.
Hoot met his wife-to-be, Joanne Covar, after he returned from serving in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. Hoot’s cousin Roy played matchmaker and arranged a blind date for the two, and as they say, the rest was history — Joanne and Holland were married for 71 years at the time of her passing in July 2024.
After his service in the Marines, Hoot climbed telephone poles for Southern Bell Telephone Company. He excelled in organizational management and progressed in the company to regional manager, which brought his family to Raleigh. He was promoted to Central Office foreman and worked there until his retirement in 1983.
He was an extraordinary man, a proud Marine, and a devoted father, friend, grandfather and great-grandfather. His legacy of love, kindness and generosity will be deeply missed, yet his impact on his loved ones’ lives will continue to inspire them. He saw the potential in everyone, even when they couldn’t see it in themselves, and encouraged his loved ones to reach for their dreams.
Although he did not reach his goal of 100 years, Holland lived an incredible life with a heart full of love and a soul full of strength. He was a man of unwavering integrity, always true to his word, and his kindness knew no strangers. As a devoted believer, he is now at peace with the Lord, reunited with his loving wife, friends and family members in Heaven.
At 96 years old, Hoot leaves behind a family that cherished him. He is survived by daughter Dr. Gay G. Strickland; daughter Jan G. Combs (Dr. Buel S. Combs III); son Gary H. Gibson (Deborah); grandchildren Merrily S. Boyd (Michael), Joy C. Strickland, Buel S. Combs IV (Raquel), Michael C. Combs (Ashleigh), Laura Nicole Willis (Ben), Daniel H. Combs and Robyn Roberts (Mike); great-grandchildren Gibson Boyd, Tate Willis, Holland Monroe Willis, Trevar Betts (Brooke) and Jordan Betts (Madi); and great-great-grandchildren Landon Betts, Asher Betts and Devlyn Betts.
A service of witness to the Resurrection will be held on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 at Harrington Funeral Home in Hamlet (214 McDonald Ave., Hamlet, North Carolina). Visitation will be at 10:30 a.m., and the service will start at 11 a.m. A brief graveside service will follow immediately after at Richmond County Memorial Park in Rockingham.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to: Samaritan’s Purse; The Lee “Iceman” Watson Memorial Scholarship at Richmond Community College (Lee was his nephew); or Athens Drive Baptist Church (1601 Athens Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606).
Harrington Funeral Home is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at harringtonfuneralhome.com.
