Randy D Gibson

Remarks I made at the Funeral of my brother Gary

When Gary was a little boy he told our grandma I Don’t want to go to heaven because all they eat is milk and honey and I like hamburgers and French fries.

I want to Take a minute and tell you what kind of brother Gary was. We each had our role – I’m the caretaker and peacemaker, Rex was the mechanical one and also the prankster, and Gary was the protector.

When he got into high school the girls liked to come around, and I had to approve of them. This was great because they would bring me things to gain my favor and I would give my okay.

When I was 7 he brought Janis up. I was asleep and he woke me up to come meet her so I could give my okay. I thought by doing this I was protecting him, but really he was always protecting me. Anytime I was concerned or worried about something he would say “Don’t worry I got this.”

He and Janis actually used one of their date nights to take me to see a Bruce Lee movie. They took me and Billy Don to the Sonic and Billy Don kept honking the horn at everyone and embarrassing him. Still though, he was my protector.

When I was 13 he took me to my first OU game to watch Billy Sims play. Finding tickets back then was tough. He said don’t worry I got this. He took me to at least one game a year until I got into college myself. Still my protector.

When I got to OU and made the band, he was the first of the family to watch me perform on the field. It was OU Texas. He came and found me on the fairgrounds before the game and made sure I didn’t need anything. Still my protector. For pregame we came in and was playing Boomer Sooner. I was on the sidelines and I knew where his tickets were and found him, looking right at me with that big ol grin, still my protector.

Flash forward to this past December. He was in the hospital and I knew he was sick. He was down getting a test and I got there and talked to the doctor, and was informed he had about 6 months left. When he got back he said don’t worry, I got this. We’re going to have a hootnanny and figure this out. At 49, he was still my protector.

We have another big brother who is also our protector. In the scriptures we read the story of Mary and Martha, mourning the loss of their brother, as we are here today. The scriptures tell us:

23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

When Gary was in the hospital Angie thought he was asleep, but he wasn’t. He was listening to a minister on tv. He opened his eyes and said I’ve been doing this wrong. I’m trying to do all this by myself and I can’t. I need the Lord.

When we really understand God’s plan, we don’t look upon death as an enemy. The Lord said, “Fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full.” (D&C 101:36.) Gary found Him, and his joy was full.

I know that the veil of death is very thin. Our loved ones are close. Mom said Gary had recently said he was really missing Rex and Pawpaw. I know he is having a joyful reunion with all of them, and for comfort, I picture Jesus in their midst, wrapping his arms around them saying Don’t worry, I got this.

To Gary, I want to say, I am really going to miss you while I am still stuck here on earth. See you soon. Boomer Sooner.