Jack M. Gibson

August 7, 1934 - February 11, 2020

Mishawaka, IN- Jack M. Gibson, 85, formerly of Goshen, IN, passed away on Tuesday, February 11, 2020. Jack was born August 7, 1934, in Rockford, IL, the son of Harry and Harriet (Zuercher) Gibson. On June 29, 1980, he married Ann Singer of South Bend, IN, who died August 15, 2020. Survivors include Ann’s daughter’s Jennifer Singer (John Dolezal) of Goshen, Rebecca Singer (John Fonash) of South Bend, and Katherine Singer (Joel Williams) of Elkhart. Also surviving are Ann’s six grandchildren. Jack is also survived by his brother Richard (Elizabeth Shuttleworth) of Charleston, S.C., and Judith (Jim) Horrigan of Chicago, IL, nieces Hillary Horrigan McNally, Victoria Horrigan, Adrienne Horrigan, and Tina Gibson, and a nephew Dana Gibson. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Donald and brother Warren. Jack graduated from West Rockford High School in 1953 and joined the Army. Jack served in the Army for three years, spending much of that time in Alaska. After the Army, Jack enrolled in the Kemper Military Academy in Booneville, MO, to have structure that would improve his study habits. He had learned in the Army that his difficulty studying was a consequence of dyslexia, something he worked to overcome. After one year at the Kemper Academy, he was able to transfer to The College William & Mary in 1957 on the G.I. Bill, managing to graduate in just two years and making Dean’s list. After graduation Jack moved to Chicago and became an institutional salesman, first for Harriman Ripley and then for Drexel Firestone. He later worked for what was then called Chesley and Company (now Chesley, Taft and Assoc.) in Chicago, as an investment banker. While at Chesley, Jack began thinking about finding a business and becoming an entrepreneur. He became attracted to Modern School Supply, in Goshen, IN. Modern School Supply later became Modern Educational Systems and later Triad Publications. Modern Educational School Systems was a company that made the roll-down school maps and globes so many of us remember. He was always fascinated by geography and impressed with the extraordinary cartography that Modern School Supply possessed. He bought the company in 1973 for less than other bidders because he promised to keep on all their employees, a promise he honored for many years. Jack was an avid sailor and loved racing Lightning sailboats in Chicago, and later in Syracuse, IN, on Lake Wawasee. Jack was a volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and his Little Brother helped as Jack’s racing crew on the Lightning. In Jack’s younger days, he loved downhill skiing and skied anywhere he could, including Europe. His work making maps took him and Ann around the world on many memorable trips. Flying over Angel Falls in Venezuela was one of his favorite memories. Jack and Ann also traveled to Europe, Southeast Asia, and to South America three times. Jack’s family expresses their deepest gratitude to everyone at Northwoods Village for the friendship, love and care they shared with Jack. A zoom memorial service for Jack Gibson will be October 2, 2021 at 11 am. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87973967422?pwd=TTRlbndzV2orT2pSaHZpOWRjMW5qUT09 Meeting ID: 879 7396 7422 Passcode: 570031 Online condolences may be sent at www.rrefh.com