Jeffrey S. Gibson, Jr.
October 8, 1990 – October 11, 2023
Jeffrey S. Gibson Jr. was born October 8, 1990, in Washington D.C. and passed suddenly at his home in Lexington Park, MD just after his 33rd birthday. He was a brilliant, talented, passionate teacher and a beloved son, brother, and friend. He was loved more than words can express and his absence will be immeasurable.
Jeffrey will be deeply missed by his parents Jeffrey S. Gibson, Sr. and Dawn M. Gibson of Chesapeake Beach, MD along with his brother and brother’s girlfriend Preston Gibson and Katie Westermeyer of Annapolis, MD. Jeffrey will also be deeply missed by his paternal grandmother JoAnn Gibson of Clearwater, FL. Aunts/Uncles: Leslie Lyons, Anthony Grello, Paul Gibson (deceased) & wife Dora Gibson, Guy Gibson, Lisa Grimes & husband Kelly Grimes, Laura Clark & husband Randy Clark, Michael (Andy) Gibson, Bob Brooks & wife Amy Brooks, Belinda Simms & husband Wayne Simms, & John Brooks. Jeffrey also leaves behind a loving girlfriend Katharina Lohstroh. Jeffrey is also survived by countless cousins, friends, colleagues, & students.
Jeffrey is preceded in death by his paternal grandfather Samuel Gibson, maternal grandmother Virginia Brooks, maternal grandfather James Brooks, and cousins Joseph Brooks and Paul Gibson II.
Jeffrey had a wonderful early childhood playing many sports including baseball, basketball, tennis, and bowling. He was involved in scouts and took karate lessons. He was a beautiful child full of love and empathy.  Once Jeffrey learned to read, books quickly became his main interest, and it did not take long for us to lose count of just how many books he had read.
At the age of 11 he was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. While undergoing treatment at Children’s Hospital in Washington, D.C., Jeffrey made many friends. Unfortunately, several of these friends would succumb to their illnesses which forced Jeffrey to deal with loss at a young age and grow up far too fast. While experiencing the wrath of this horrible disease, Jeffrey selflessly acted as a pillar of support for his close family and friends. He came out of his battle injured and scarred but he refused to let bone cancer define him or stop him.
Despite all these early hardships he excelled as a student. Jeffrey attended Beach Elementary, Windy Hill Middle, and graduated from Northern High School in 2008. Jeffrey attended St. Mary’s College of Maryland, where he worked as a Resident Advisor while simultaneously pursuing his degrees. He graduated from St. Mary’s College of Maryland in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Minor in Education. The following year, he would receive his master’s degree in Education. Jeffrey’s curiosity and hunger for knowledge would set the stage for his desire to teach and inspire others.
Jeffrey started his professional life as a teacher at Indian Head Elementary, teaching 4th grade. Shortly thereafter he moved to Mechanicsville Elementary School to teach mathematics. Two years later he started at the Board of Education in St. Mary’s as an Assistant to the Department of Assessment and Accountability where he was quickly promoted to Project Coordinator. As he worked, he pushed himself to learn coding and data analysis. This changed his career trajectory to a Junior Data Analyst at Spaulding Consulting Incorporated. One year later Jeffrey would become the Senior Project Analyst at Naval Systems Incorporated. Most recently Jeffrey returned to teaching as the Computer Science Teacher at Spring Ridge Middle School. From an early age Jeffrey knew he wanted to be helpful, and he had expressed that teaching fulfilled his wish to make a difference in the world. Outside of his work career, Jeffrey was also Secretary of the St. Mary’s County Democratic Central Committee.
Our amazing son was the best person we knew. He loved without judgement, danced like no one was watching, and laughed as much as he could. He loved helping people and had the desire to make the world a better place. The world will be a lesser place without him.
Our loving son and brother rest easy, you have more than earned it. Until we meet again, you will always be in our hearts and minds. We love you, Jeffrey!
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jeffrey’s name can be made to the Osteosarcoma Institute or Children’s National Hospital at the address and links below.
The service for Jeffrey will be livestreamed on the Rausch Funeral Home Facebook page and can be accessed by using the following link https://www.facebook.com/RauschFH
Visitation
Saturday, October 21, 2023
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Services
- Funeral Service
Saturday, October 21, 2023
2:00 PM
Interment
- Private
Contributions
Children’s National Hospital
111 Michigan Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20010
Condolences
Sort Comments
16 Oct 2023
11:08am
Jeff was an amazing person! Jeff was compassionate , smart, and had a great sense of humor! He spoke often of his love and respect for his family.
I loved teaching with Jeff at Mechanicsville Elementary. I mentored Jeff but learned as much from Jeff as he learned from me. I am praying for the family during this difficult time. May the wonderful memories surface and comfort during this time of grief. Jeff will be missed!
City
Cape May
State
NJ
16 Oct 2023
2:33pm
The Osteosarcoma Institute team wishes to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Jeffrey S. Gibson Jr. during this difficult time. Our mission is to dramatically increase treatment options and survival rates in osteosarcoma patients through identifying and funding the most promising and breakthrough osteosarcoma clinical trials and science. In memory of Jeffrey, we will continue to fund breakthrough clinical trials and science to identify new treatments, and ultimately a cure for osteosarcoma.
City
Dallas
State
Texas
16 Oct 2023
6:35pm
I worked with Jeff at NSI. I did not have many encounters, but I was in a few meetings with him. Jeff was a very knowledgeable person in his position and I never knew of all the things he was able to accomplish at the age of 33. My condolences go out to his family and friends.
City
Norfolk
State
VA
18 Oct 2023
12:42pm
Jeff was an amazing young man who passed too early. My team had the privilege of helping him during his battle with cancer. We will miss him terribly.
City
Washington
State
DC
18 Oct 2023
5:57pm
I met Jeff years ago at a convention we both went to the teachers union. He was so dedicated and brilliant. We went on a ghost walk together and his quiet charm will be forever remembered. My heart hurts so much for all of you. May you all have peace.
City
Prince Frederick
State
Maryland
19 Oct 2023
5:18pm
I was so sorry to see Jeff leave Mechanicsville, but was I was also happy that he was heading up the ladder. We loved him here – we especially loved to tease him about his use of semantics – he had an awesome vocabulary! Jeff was fun and easygoing and so, so knowledgeable about technology. But beyond that, he was a good friend and terrifically sweet.
My heart aches so much for you all.
City
Chaptico
State
MD
19 Oct 2023
9:08pm
I am deeply sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Gibson. He was my fifth grade mathematics teacher while attending Mechanicsville Elementary. Having recently graduated from the school system, it is devastating to hear that someone who has had a positive impact on my life has passed away. I remember sitting in his classroom while learning how to perform multiplication and division, playing games during downtime, and making jokes. His memory will continue to live on through the knowledge and inspiration he shared with me and my peers during that time.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences during this difficult time. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones as they navigate through this loss.
City
Mechanicsville
State
Maryland
20 Oct 2023
7:22am
I was fortunate to have worked with Jeff for a couple of years at Mechanicsville Elementary School. He was kind, caring, and simply brilliant. I’m so sorry for your family’s loss.
City
Leonardtown
State
Maryland
21 Oct 2023
7:51am
Jeff was a bright, kind young man. I worked with him for a few years while he was at central office. He helped me with a lot of different online programs. To the Gibson family, I am very sorry for your loss of Jeff.
City
Lexington Park
State
Maryland
20 Jan 2024
8:04pm
Jeffrey and I went to St Mary’s College together and were friends. Our group of friends did game nights, dinners, celebrated milestones, and had a huge amount of fun together. I always enjoyed his hilarious sense of humor, easy going nature, and kindness. I am deeply saddened to hear of Jeffrey’s sudden passing. I’m so sorry I did not get word in time to attend his memorial service. Sending my heartfelt condolences to others who had the privilege of knowing him, his friends, students, family and those who were close to him. Jeffrey was an amazing person and I will miss him.
City
Baltimore
State
MD
2 Feb 2024
10:38pm
I just heard about Jeff’s passing. We hadn’t been in touch for a few years, but we met as RAs at St. Mary’s and he was one of the best friends I ever had. I could always count on him to talk me out of a bad mood or hard day—he was brilliant and funny and had a huge heart. I hope that I was able to be there for him, too. I’m so sad to hear that he’s gone.
Sending deep condolences to Jeffrey’s family and everyone who loved him. He was a really special person.
City
Washington
State
DC
9 Feb 2024
11:00pm
I just heard of Jeff’s passing through our St. Mary’s College of Maryland alumni magazine and my heart broke. We worked together as RAs and he was so kind, warm, funny, reliable, and just a wonderful friend and mentor. We were such close buddies during our time working together and I am deeply saddened to hear of his passing, especially so late. Sending all of my love to his family during this difficult time.
City
Santa Cruz
State
California
Sort Comments
Jeff was an amazing person! Jeff was compassionate , smart, and had a great sense of humor! He spoke often of his love and respect for his family.
I loved teaching with Jeff at Mechanicsville Elementary. I mentored Jeff but learned as much from Jeff as he learned from me. I am praying for the family during this difficult time. May the wonderful memories surface and comfort during this time of grief. Jeff will be missed!
The Osteosarcoma Institute team wishes to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Jeffrey S. Gibson Jr. during this difficult time. Our mission is to dramatically increase treatment options and survival rates in osteosarcoma patients through identifying and funding the most promising and breakthrough osteosarcoma clinical trials and science. In memory of Jeffrey, we will continue to fund breakthrough clinical trials and science to identify new treatments, and ultimately a cure for osteosarcoma.
I worked with Jeff at NSI. I did not have many encounters, but I was in a few meetings with him. Jeff was a very knowledgeable person in his position and I never knew of all the things he was able to accomplish at the age of 33. My condolences go out to his family and friends.
Jeff was an amazing young man who passed too early. My team had the privilege of helping him during his battle with cancer. We will miss him terribly.
I met Jeff years ago at a convention we both went to the teachers union. He was so dedicated and brilliant. We went on a ghost walk together and his quiet charm will be forever remembered. My heart hurts so much for all of you. May you all have peace.
I was so sorry to see Jeff leave Mechanicsville, but was I was also happy that he was heading up the ladder. We loved him here – we especially loved to tease him about his use of semantics – he had an awesome vocabulary! Jeff was fun and easygoing and so, so knowledgeable about technology. But beyond that, he was a good friend and terrifically sweet.
My heart aches so much for you all.
I am deeply sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Gibson. He was my fifth grade mathematics teacher while attending Mechanicsville Elementary. Having recently graduated from the school system, it is devastating to hear that someone who has had a positive impact on my life has passed away. I remember sitting in his classroom while learning how to perform multiplication and division, playing games during downtime, and making jokes. His memory will continue to live on through the knowledge and inspiration he shared with me and my peers during that time.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences during this difficult time. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones as they navigate through this loss.
I was fortunate to have worked with Jeff for a couple of years at Mechanicsville Elementary School. He was kind, caring, and simply brilliant. I’m so sorry for your family’s loss.
Jeff was a bright, kind young man. I worked with him for a few years while he was at central office. He helped me with a lot of different online programs. To the Gibson family, I am very sorry for your loss of Jeff.
Jeffrey and I went to St Mary’s College together and were friends. Our group of friends did game nights, dinners, celebrated milestones, and had a huge amount of fun together. I always enjoyed his hilarious sense of humor, easy going nature, and kindness. I am deeply saddened to hear of Jeffrey’s sudden passing. I’m so sorry I did not get word in time to attend his memorial service. Sending my heartfelt condolences to others who had the privilege of knowing him, his friends, students, family and those who were close to him. Jeffrey was an amazing person and I will miss him.
I just heard about Jeff’s passing. We hadn’t been in touch for a few years, but we met as RAs at St. Mary’s and he was one of the best friends I ever had. I could always count on him to talk me out of a bad mood or hard day—he was brilliant and funny and had a huge heart. I hope that I was able to be there for him, too. I’m so sad to hear that he’s gone.
Sending deep condolences to Jeffrey’s family and everyone who loved him. He was a really special person.
I just heard of Jeff’s passing through our St. Mary’s College of Maryland alumni magazine and my heart broke. We worked together as RAs and he was so kind, warm, funny, reliable, and just a wonderful friend and mentor. We were such close buddies during our time working together and I am deeply saddened to hear of his passing, especially so late. Sending all of my love to his family during this difficult time.