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Formal Historic Lansing District Court Judge passes away

ben gib.jpg
Posted at 6:31 PM, Jan 18, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-18 18:31:42-05

GULFPORT, Miss. — One of the first black Federal Judges Honorable Benjamin F. Gibsib age 89, died Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, in Gulfport.

Though born in Alabama, Gibson was raised in Detroit but started his law career in Lansing where he also met his wife Lucille.

He held the position of State Attorney General for two years before becoming an Assistant prosecutor, eventually leading him to start a private practice which lasted for 15 years.

On Sept. 26, 19179 Gibson was sworn into office by former President Jimmy Carter as the U.S. District Court Judge for the Western District of Michigan.

While serving as one the first black Federal Judges in the United States, he also taught law at Colley Law School.

After giving 20 years to the bench, he retired in in 1999. He settled down in Gulfport, Mississippi where he remained raising his six kids until his death this year.