Ray Graham Gibson
1929 — 2010
Master Sheet Metal Mechanic • NNSY Shop 17
Ray and Virginia settled onHerbert Street with their daughter Darlene and son Mark. Before the post-war housing boom, this area was a vast cow pasture owned by one of Virginia’s cousins. The neighborhood became a true family project; Ray’s Uncle John Roberts built nine of the homes in the community, including the Gibson family house.
During these foundational years, Ray’s craftsmanship helped shape the Virginia landscape. He served on the construction crew for the original Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel and later applied his expertise at Air-A-Plane Corp on Virginia Beach Blvd, contributing to the vital aviation equipment manufactured there.”
1969-1993: “Big John” & Shop 17
Ray joined Shop 17 (Sheet Metal) at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard on Nov 1, 1969. He was a key mechanic during the 1975 repairs of the DAYS OF THUNDER ship, the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67).
His work on the shipboard lockers and ventilation systems meant his craftsmanship was literally featured in Hollywood blockbusters like The Hunt for Red October.
The USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67)
Ray’s career was defined by the maintenance of “Big John.” Below are the views of the ship he kept in fighting shape, including the damage from the 1975 collision that Shop 17 was tasked with repairing.
1950s: Building the Community
Ray settled on Herbert Street. Before the post-war housing boom, this area was a vast cow pasture owned by one of Virginia’s cousins. The neighborhood became a true family project; Ray’s Uncle John Roberts built nine of the homes in the community, including the Gibson family house.
During these foundational years, Ray’s craftsmanship helped shape the Virginia landscape. He served on the construction crew for the original Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel and later applied his expertise at Air-A-Plane Corp on Virginia Beach Blvd, contributing to the vital aviation equipment manufactured there.
The 1975 Collision & Repair
In November 1975, the USS John F. Kennedy collided with the USS Belknap in the Mediterranean. The damage was catastrophic—fuel lines were severed and the overhanging flight deck was mangled. This is where Shop 17 earned its reputation.
Ray and his crew were tasked with the massive rebuilding effort. As a master sheet metal mechanic, he didn’t just ‘fix’ the ship; he had to rebuild complex internal lockers, ducting, and structural sponsons to get the carrier back into the fleet.
Official US Navy Photo: Damage to the port side after the 1975 collision.
The Final Proof: Bowman Avenue
Ray’s retirement took him to 254 Bowman Avenue, Virginia Beach, near Witchduck Road. He proved the “farm-folk” wrong by achieving the American Dream through his own hands and his own trade.