H. L. “Hezzie” Gibson, born September 7th, 1933, in Athens, Tennessee to Pearl and Lloyd Gibson. He passed away peacefully on September 23rd, 2026, in New Mexico, after a life well lived at the age of 93.

Hezzie is survived by his son, Lee Gibson (Felicia); his grandson, John Gibson (Rachel); his granddaughter, Maria Gibson; his great-granddaughter, Paisley Gibson; and his sister, Bertha Maestas and her family as well as many nieces, nephews and good friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Gibson; his parents, Lloyd and Pearl Gibson; and his sisters, Velma Rowland and Thelma Russell.

Hezzie was born and raised in Tennessee. He treasured growing up and living there with his siblings and the memories made. He later moved to New Mexico where he met and married Ruth Bowman in September of 1961. They lived in Los Alamos where they welcomed and raised their son Lee. Then later moved to the Espanola valley where they made their home for the last 30 plus years.

He worked many jobs in his life but was most well known for being a successful business owner. He owned the Exxon service station in Los Alamos, Hezzie’s Auto Glass in Los Alamos then went into business with his son Lee opening Hezzie’s Auto Glass and Automotive Services. When he “retired” he simply expanded his garden, built another greenhouse, and kept busy tending to it all.

Hezzie lived a very full and extraordinary life. He loved to cultivate and grow things; be it plants, relationships, or knowledge. He learned to farm at a young age with his father, with a green thumb that would intensify over time. He loved to share produce with family and friends, no one left without fresh veggies and chile when it was in season. He loved horses and mules and had many throughout his life. He was highly skilled at trading and bartering. He had a way of making people laugh and could sit down and talk with anybody. An avid lover of the outdoors, he felt most at home in the mountains. The Pecos Wilderness held a special place in his heart. He worked hard to play harder whether it was fishing, boating, snowmobiling, dancing, camping, or riding horseback. He made the most of each moment with his family and friends. Many treasured walking through the greenhouse and gardens and picking green chile with him. Many also remember sharing a cold Coors Banquet with him after a good day’s work and listening to the amazing stories he told. A man who believed in working extremely hard five days a week, so that the other two could be enjoyed to the fullest. Always a voracious reader with subscriptions to several papers and magazines, he stayed up to date on current events and Western Horseman. He stayed incredibly active and sharp minded through his years.

Hezzie’s greatest joy was his family. He loved each of them dearly, followed closely with all his cherished friends, Hezzie never met a stranger and was known for his remarkable work ethic, determination and friendly demeanor. He was resilient and fearless in the face of life’s challenges, meeting them with determination and a smile. He was funny, quick with the perfect comeback, and legendary for his wit. His family remembers the many lessons, practical skills, and hard-earned wisdom he shared over the years. Along with incredible stories of his life that would make you laugh until you cried.

H. L. “Hezzie” Gibson lived fully, worked hard, loved deeply, and gave generously. He leaves behind a lasting legacy in his family, his community, and in the many lives made better by his kindness, humor, strength, and steady presence. He was truly one of a kind, the kind of man that is quite rare these days. His tenacity for life was immeasurable as was his kindness and heart. He will be missed deeply by many, may his legacy live on in all that loved him.

A celebration of life for Hezzie and his beloved wife Ruth will be held at 10:00am November 21st, 2026, at Fuller Lodge in Los Alamos New Mexico. We welcome family and friends to gather with the family and share stories and celebrate the lives of these two special people. 

The family of Mr. Gibson have entrusted the caring professionals at Rivera Family Funeral Home of Espanola st support them. Our heartfelt condolences to all.