Vernon Stanley Gibson

Vernon Stanley Gibson made his entrance into life on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1975 in Pittsburgh, Pa in West Penn Hospital to Stanley and Dorys Joyce Gibson.  He unexpectedly departed this life at 9:00 pm on Sunday, November 15, 2020 at the age of 44, just short of his birthday.   

Vernon accepted Christ at an early age at St. James A.M.E Church in the East Liberty section of Pittsburgh, Pa where he attended Sunday School.

Vernon made an everlasting mark in the Gateway school system in Monroeville, Pa from Kindergarten to High School especially in sports.  Under the direction of his very first coach, his father, Vernon developed a liking in soccer at a young age, where he won championships.  He was soon introduced to football and followed the footsteps of his older sister into track and field.  He excelled in all three, but the love of football would outweigh them all.  Vernon started out his career in football with the Monroeville Midget Football League leaving his mark with many touchdowns, tackles, yardage, and championships. Vernon did not stop there.  He was excited to become a running back and defensive back on the Gateway Senior High School Football Team.  As a Black and Gold Gator, he played and lettered all four years of his high school career.  Vernon’s academics and athleticism allowed him to further his football talent at the next level in college with a scholarship to East Stroudsburg University and then transferred to Shippensburg University.

Vernon enlisted into the United States Marine Corp as Private First Class serving in several tours of duty.  He was on the front lines following the tragedy of the 2001 attack on the New York World Trade Center Towers, the Pentagon in Washington DC, and Shanksville, Pa.  That experience left an everlasting effect which lead to an Honorable Discharge as Lance Corporal from the United States Marine Corps.  Following his military career, Vernon graduated from the Police Academy to become a Police Officer in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Vernon was a very popular and well liked young man throughout the Monroeville community, He had an infectious smile, was mild mannered, and very humble.  He would never hesitate to offer a lending hand.  He was the best friend of his coach/dadStanley.  The two attended many Pittsburgh Steelers training camps and watched the games together.  He was a mama’s boy and would do anything for his mother Dorys, looked up to and idolized his big sister Angela, adored his two beautiful daughtersImani and Corrina, and was very proud of his two talented nephews Mason and Miles.  He loved the Pittsburgh Steelers and would never miss watching a game.  He often bragged how he was born in the year ‘75 when the Steelers won a Superbowl and his favorite Steelers player was Mean Joe Greene who was #75.  However, his favorite running back was the late “Sweetness” Walter Payton.

Vernon was preceded in death recently and has been reunited with his mother Dorys Joyce Gibson, Grandparents:  Constance E. Shelton, William Shelton, and Betty Gibson; Great-Grandparents:  Pernell Gibson and Kathryn Gibson; Uncles:  William Shelton, Jr. and Robert Shelton; and his Great-Uncle Pernell Gibson and God-Father Reginald Simon. 

He leaves to carry on and cherish his everlasting memory his father Stanley Gibson, two daughters, Imani Granger and Corrina Coss, sister Angela R. Gibson McIntosh; Uncle, Raymond Shelton; nephews: Mason McIntosh and Miles McIntosh; God-Mother Charlotte McBride, and a host of many family and friends near and far.

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