Russel was born in 1923, raised and bas lived around Richland. MO, all his life.
Russel Gibson is a man of many talents. He is a people person. He worked in car dealerships for over 40 years.
He has always been interested in tractors and gas engines. Nearing retirement be wanted something to keep himself busy, so he started restoring old tractors. Beginning with a 1928 John Deere GP. One of his favorites is a Graham-Bradley tractor he found in a thicket. He had to cut out of the thicket. It bad a tree growing up between the frame and block. He has taken it to many shows and driven it in several long distance tractor rides. He is currently restoring two other Graham Bradleys.
Russel bas slowed down a little in the last couple of years. But will host the first Gibson Tractor Ride, this year. It will be held on May 3, 2008.
Russel is easy to talk to and bas helped many members and non-members with carburetor and magneto problems over the years. Usually, after someone gives up on making an engine run they would take it to Russel to make it run. He would usually tell them, “If you had let me worked on it first it would have been a lot easier to fix.”
Russel started working on and collecting engines in about 1982. He became a member of EDGETA in about 1990.
He was also a member of another branch for a while, but it was too far to travel and he believed in the EDGETA program. He came up with enough people to charter a new branch. This was branch 108 at Eldon, MO and served 2 years as president. He is still an active member. At the Branch 108 annual show at Eldon. MO. Russel is always moving around the grounds doing something to promote the show.
Russel Gibson deserves to be inducted into the EDGETA Hall of Fame.