Lonnie Gibbons
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Lonnie Gibbons

  • May 24, 1935 - April 14, 2011
  • North Little Rock, Arkansas
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Memories & Candles

“Mr. Gibbons was a dear friend and will be missed by everyone in his USA drug family.. All of our thoughts and prayers are with his family .. If we...Read More » ”
1 of 31 | Posted by: John Wirges - North Little Rock, AR

“Lonette and Ross you are in my prayers.Miss seeing you guys.Allen Hill(formerly of Central Baptist Church) ”
2 of 31 | Posted by: Allen Hill - Vilonia, AR

“I worked at KTHV in the 80's and 90's, and I don't ever remember a time when I passed Lonnie in the hall that he didn't have a big smile and a...Read More » ”
3 of 31 | Posted by: Sandy (Finkbeiner) Roycraft - GA

“Dear Lonnie: Franque and I were saddened to read of the recent passing of your father. We are keeping you, Mindy, and the rest of your family in...Read More » ”
4 of 31 | Posted by: John & Franque Coleman - AR

“Lonette, my heart goes out to you today as you and your family experience such a deep loss. The one thing I do know...As I reflect over the landscape...Read More » ”
5 of 31 | Posted by: Charlotte Toler - Benicia, CA

“You are in my heart and prayers. ”
6 of 31 | Posted by: Denise Hanson - North Little Rock, AR

“I am so sorry for your loss. I have a lot of fond memories of "pawpaw" growing up. Your entire family will remain in my thoughts and pryers. ”
7 of 31 | Posted by: courtnie schaeafer- shelton - AR

“I am so sorry for your loss. May God bless each of you in all things only He knows you need. Peace be with you, Jody ”
8 of 31 | Posted by: Jody Brennan - Little Rock, AR

“I WAS YOUNG IN THE T.V. NEWS BUSINESS WHEN WE WERE DISCUSSING PRONUNCIATIONS AND SOME ONE TOLD ME TO ALWAYS PRONOUNCE LITTLE ROCK LIKE LONNIE GIBBONS...Read More » ”
9 of 31 | Posted by: Gene Stewart - Batesville, AR

“Lonnie, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. I read about your Dad with very fond memories from seeing him on TV over...Read More » ”
10 of 31 | Posted by: Rick Glover - Lenexa, KS - friend

“Joyce so sorry to hear of your loss. (you taught my son Brandon Taylor) May God be with you and your family. ”
11 of 31 | Posted by: Virginia Taylor - Cabot, AR

“Joyce, I know he's in a better place and not suffering, but I'm sure gonna miss him. Ron ”
12 of 31 | Posted by: ron sherman - little rock, AR

“Our deepest sympathy to Mr. Gibbon's wife, children,and family. He was a kind and gentle man who will not be forgotten. May God comfort you all...Read More » ”
13 of 31 | Posted by: Patrick and Jerri McCrary

“Lonette, remember you and your family are being prayed for. Praying that God will multiply his grace and peace to you. He is ever faithful. Love...Read More » ”
14 of 31 | Posted by: Bobbie Wood - Alpharetta, GA

“Lonette and family, May our Lord Jesus Christ give you strength and carry you through this time of grief. Praise Him that your Dad is now cancer and...Read More » ”
15 of 31 | Posted by: Cheryl Castleberry - Cumming, GA

“I first met Lonnie when we worked at KARK-TV in the mid 1960's. He was an inspiration and a positive influence on my life, and many others. I loved...Read More » ”
16 of 31 | Posted by: Jim Shearin - Springdale, AR

“Lonnie was a great man, a good friend and an inspiring presence ALWAYS! Special regards to Lonnette and the years we had together at the Baptist...Read More » ”
17 of 31 | Posted by: Don Moore - Little Rock, AR

“Lonette and Family, Please accept my condolences on the death of your beloved husband, dad, granddad, and friend. Upon reading his obituary he...Read More » ”
18 of 31 | Posted by: Brenda Webb - Woodstock, GA

“Lonette, Your father was a fine Christian man with a great sense of humor! Today, he is walking with his Heavenly Father in glory! We are praying...Read More » ”
19 of 31 | Posted by: Tim & Pamm Yarbrough - Alpharetta, GA

“So sorry about your loss. Lonette has shared many wonderful stories/memories of her dad, whom I had the pleasure of meeting once at NAMB. My...Read More » ”
20 of 31 | Posted by: Kay Keisler - Milton, GA

“So sorry for your loss. Lonnie was one of the warm Spirits I've met in my Life. ”
21 of 31 | Posted by: Joe Mike Hammond - Hot Springs, AR

“My prayers to the Gibbons family. I used to work with Lonnie some when we did the Horn's Men store commercials many years ago when I worked at KTHV...Read More » ”
22 of 31 | Posted by: david moore - conway, AR

“We are so sorry to hear of Lonnie's passing, although we rejoice in the knowledge that he is rejoicing with the angels today; we can't wait to see...Read More » ”
23 of 31 | Posted by: Shelley Ball - Centerton, AR

“My prayers are with each of the family members. Mr. Lonnie was a great influence in my life growing up in the Park Hill Youth Family. He was a...Read More » ”
24 of 31 | Posted by: Lisa Ward Kirk - Clinton, AR

“Char, I am so sorry. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Your sweet dad is in a much better place and we rejoice in that. No more...Read More » ”
25 of 31 | Posted by: Lee Schwager - Little Rock, AR

“Joyce, Lonnette, Charlotte, Lonnie Jr., and family--God Bless You. And may God's Peace be with you. I treasured my friendship with Lonnie since...Read More » ”
26 of 31 | Posted by: Tom Bonner - Little Rock, AR

“My memories of Lonnie are centered around the many years we both worked at KTHV Channel 11. One of my favorite things I will always remember about...Read More » ”
27 of 31 | Posted by: David Brown - North Little Rock , AR

“Charlotte, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. ”
28 of 31 | Posted by: Cindy "Walters" Reed - AR

“Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. ”
29 of 31 | Posted by: Ed and Patricia Scott - Wilson , WY

“Joyce, Lonnie, Lonnette and Charlotte; Please accept our deepest sympathy and condolences. It is an honor to have known Lonnie and to have worked...Read More » ”
30 of 31 | Posted by: Dave and Lydia Woodman - AR

“Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time. I was so fortunate to be able to spend a little time with Mr. Gibbons during a visit with...Read More » ”
31 of 31 | Posted by: Thad & Carolyn Wells - Conway, AR


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Lonnie Gibbons, of North Little Rock, went to heaven on April 14th, after a fifteen year courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joyce Gibbons. He has three children, Lonette Godwin and her husband, Ross, of Alpharetta, Georgia; Charlotte Strickland, and her husband, Mark, of Conway; and Lonnie C. Gibbons, and his wife, Mindy, of North Little Rock. He has two sisters, Ann Miller and Lany Kelly. There are seven grandchildren, and a great grandchild is due in August. Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie E. and Louise Gibbons, and brothers Troy and Lawrence.
Raised in Mississippi and Missouri, he started working at age 12 as a Western Union carrier and then manager. He won a speech contest through the radio station KBOA, at the age of 15, and was given his first job as a radio announcer with “Platter Party”.
He attended college at ASU, where he also worked at the radio station, and later WJXN radio station in Jackson, Mississippi. In Alexandria, Louisiana, he worked in radio and began his career in television, by hosting a children’s show called “Montana Slim”, and working with news and weather. He came to Little Rock in 1958, working at KARK, with the weather and “Dialing for Dollars”. Lonnie worked at KTAR in Phoenix from 1975-1977. He then moved back to Arkansas, the state he loved, in 1977, to work again with KARK. Later that same year, he was offered a position at KTHV, where he did weather, sports and worked in sales. Some commercials he is still remembered for include the Horne’s men clothing store, and Kaufman Lumber. He retired from KTHV in 1996, when he first was diagnosed with cancer.
Lonnie started a cancer support group at Park Hill Baptist Church and helped other churches start groups as well. He was very proud of this and loved and cared for his friends with cancer. He was known for giving out boxing glove key rings, scripted with “God Is In Our Corner”, as well as his Boxer statues.
Lonnie is known best as “Pawpaw”. The highlight of his days were spending time with the grandkids, playing UNO, shooting pistols, and talking and texting with family. He also enjoyed traveling across America with Joyce. His legacy will live on.
A special thanks goes to Dr. Joseph Beck and staff for their dedicated care and friendship all these years, as Lonnie fought the fight.
In Lonnie’s honor, memorials may be made to the Park Hill Baptist Cancer Support group, 201 E. “C” Street, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72116.
The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, April 17, 2011 at North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., 758-1170. A celebration service will be held 1:00 p.m., Monday, April 18, 2011 at Park Hill Baptist Church. Online obituary and guest registry at www.nlrfh.com.