Jody Gibson

Jody Gibson born as Joseph Paul Katzberg, 75, of 207 Broadway, Newport, RI, died Wednesday, June 8, 2005 at home. He was the husband of Donna Gibson. Born in Brooklyn, NY on August 25, 1929, he was the son of the late Archie and Josephine Puzelli Katzberg. Jody started playing music as a child in Greenwich Village, mentored by Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly. During Air Force years in Great Britain, he recorded for Parlaphone. His A R man was Sir George Martin who later produced the Beatles. Jody?s USA hit record, Good Morning Captain, was on the Tetra label. Jody is a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Jody was a 8th Degree Black Belt in Shoju Kempo Karate and a 5th Degree Black Belt in Shotokan Karate. He trained at risk children in traditional Shotokan Karate. He is in the Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Jody made hand-carved and Gilded signs for Newport businesses. He was a boat builder and a master rigger. He was a Veteran of the Korean War, serving in the United States Air Force as a Chief Air Traffic Controller in Japan, Korea, England, Great Britain and the USA. Besides his wife of 35 years he is survived by his children Joyce Katzberg of Warren, RI, Kate Katzberg of Cranston, RI, and David Katzberg of Pawtucket, RI, his brother Richard Alexander of Sun City, AZ, and his sister Roberta Liford of Long Island, NY, his grandchildren Emma Katrina Katzberg, David James Katzberg, Amelia ?Abby? Berg, and Noah Berg, and several nieces and nephews. He was the former husband of the late Roberta Barber Katzberg Brahm. A graveside service will be held on Monday, June 13, 2005, at 1:00pm in Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 301 South County Trail, Exeter. A Celebration of Jody?s life will be held on Thursday, June 30, 2005, at 4:00pm in St. George?s Episcopal Church, 14 Rhode Island Avenue, Newport. Come and enjoy the music.