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Giboney (Terry and Susan) Papers
0057
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
Title: Terry and Susan Giboney Papers
Identifier/Call Number: 0057
Physical Description:
1.68 Linear Feet
(4 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1950-1977
Abstract: Terry and Susan Giboney were Church of Christ missionaries in Omika, Japan from 1963-1966. They both worked primarily with
Ibaraki Christian College teaching various classes. The collection includes photographs, correspondence, publications, and
financial records from their stay in Japan.
Advance notice required for access.
Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.
[Box/folder# or item name], Terry and Susan Giboney Papers, Collection no. 0057, Churches of Christ Heritage Center, Special
Collections and University Archives, University Libraries, Pepperdine University.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated to Pepperdine University by Susan Giboney on February 19, 2014.
On January 15, 1939, Terry Giboney was born to Max and Ruth Giboney from Missouri. On December 19, 1940, Susan Kay was born
to E. Hugh Huff from Ontario Canada and Archeva Huff from Texas. Both Terry and Susan grew up attending the Arcadia Church
of Christ in California. Before marrying, Terry attended Citrus Junior College and graduated from George Pepperdine College
in 1961. Susan attended George Pepperdine College and graduated in 1962. Upon graduation, Susan taught in several schools
in Los Angeles. Inspired by their experience at George Pepperdine College, listening to lectures on mission as work at their
church, the Giboneys left to Omika, Japan to work at Ibaraki Christian College as missionaries in 1963.
As teachers, Terry taught Bible classes and preached at churches while Susan taught in the home economics department for the
junior high, high school, and college departments. Susan also taught local English teachers the English language using the
Bible as literature. In addition to teaching at Ibaraki Christian College, the Giboneys found themselves teaching elementary
school children, high school teenagers in churches, and individuals at their homes.
The Giboneys were very much involved in the lives of their students outside of the classroom. In 1963, Terry coached the high
school Japanese speech team which placed well in several contests. They also participated in summer camps such as the Hitachi
Christian Camp (1964) with high school and college students and the Motosu Christian Camp (1965) for American children from
missionary families in Japan. They worked with Nazare-En, an elderly Christian home that housed over 100 elderly people. Terry
later became a member of the board of directors for the Nazare-En. He also worked with the Far East Fellowship where he preached
to military G.I.'s. In addition, both Susan and Terry became part of an organization called the "Light and Life Program" which
published and distributed Christian literature to the Japanese. On January 11, 1966, Terry and Susan had their first child:
Carrie Ruth Giboney. After giving three years of service to the people of Omika, Japan the Giboneys returned to the United
States in 1966.
Upon arriving in California, the Giboneys placed membership with the La Habra Church of Christ in California. Terry became
a teacher for fifth and sixth graders in the La Habra School District and worked with the Missions Committee of the La Habra
Church of Christ. Terry received his Master's Degree in Education and an Administration credential from California State University,
Fullerton. During this time period, they had their second child, Peggy Sue.
Both Terry and Susan made plans to return to teach in Tokyo, Japan. After fundraising and Terry's resignation as a teacher
from the La Habra school district they were ready to leave. However, due to a political situation at the school in Japan they
were asked not to return. Fortunately, Terry was reinstated with the La Habra School District. Soon, Susan found out that
she was pregnant with their son, Paul Travis.
After the birth of their son, Terry became Vice Principal of Sierra Vista School in La Habra and later Principal of Los Lomas
and Sierra Vista Schools in the district. When Carrie was in the second grade, the family moved to the city of Brea to accommodate
their growing family and became members of the Sunny Hills Church of Christ in Fullerton, California. During this time, Susan
received her certificate to teach classes in Parent Education and began traveling to schools to teach parenting classes. Later,
both Terry and Susan developed a curriculum to teach family life classes at their church. Susan also taught women's classes,
led the women's service committee, and worked with the Parent Teacher's Association. Terry became a Deacon and then an Elder
of the Sunny Hills Church. By this time, Terry had received his doctorate from the University of Southern California.
While their children were in high school, Susan completed her Master's Degree in Child and Family Studies, at California State
University, Long Beach. Afterwards, she began teaching for Pacific Christian College in Fullerton (now Hope Christian University).
Since both Terry and Susan held Master's degrees they were able to develop a ministry for teaching premarital classes and
individual counseling.
Once their children were in college, Terry and Susan traveled nationally and internationally teaching seminars. Eventually
Terry was asked to work for Pepperdine University as the Assistant Provost. Both Terry and Susan moved to Pepperdine's campus
where Susan also found work with the Education Department. They continued their work with the Missions committee and teaching
family life classes and premarital classes at the University Church of Christ where Terry also became an Elder.
On December 6, 1996, after battling colon cancer for two years, Terry passed away. Dealing with grief and loss led Susan to
begin writing and teaching about this and caregiving. Susan continued to direct and teach for the Education Department at
Pepperdine University and received the Teaching Excellence Award in 2003. After teaching as a visiting professor in Lausanne,
Switzerland she was diagnosed with breast cancer and completed sixth months of chemotherapy and radiation after surgery. Today,
Susan is retired from Pepperdine University but continues to serve on four boards that include the Center for the Family,
Associated Women for Pepperdine, Alumni Leadership Council, and the George Pepperdine Alumni Committee. She also hosts a weekly
house group of Pepperdine students and teaches at a women's prison.
The collection includes photographs, correspondence, publications, and financial records from Terry and Susan Giboney's time
in Japan and range in date from 1952 to 1967. The photographs depict campus life at Ibaraki Christian College, while the correspondence,
which is mainly between the Giboneys and the Huff Family (Susan's parents), provide a glimpse into the daily life and tasks
performed by Terry and Susan while in Japan. The publications include newsletters and reports from Ibaraki Christian College
regarding the various jobs Terry and Susan held in Japan. The publications also show how students and faculty participate
in campus activities at Ibaraki Christian College. In addition, the collection houses a small amount of receipts from purchases
the Giboneys made while in Japan.
The collection is organized into the following series: 1. Photographs; 2. Correspondence; 3. Publications; 4. Financial Records;
and 5. Travel Documents.
James L. Lovell Papers, Collection no. 0011, Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries, Pepperdine
University.
J.M. McCaleb Papers, Collection no. 0013, Churches of Christ Heritage Center, Special Collections and University Archives,
University Libraries, Pepperdine University.
Sarah S. Andrews Collection, Collection no. 0115, Churches of Christ Heritage Center, Special Collections and University Archives,
University Libraries, Pepperdine University.
Several books were separated from the collection and added to Special Collections. A Bible and a Hymnal belonging to Terry,
as well as a Social Studies lesson book belonging to Susan. All three items are mostly in Japanese.
The collection was arranged and described by Valeria Pacheco, under the supervision of Katie Richardson in May, 2015.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Hitachi-shi (Japan)
oOmika (Japan)
Christian education
Christianity -- Japan -- History
Missionaries, American
Universities and colleges -- History
Missionaries -- Japan -- History
Financial records
Churches of Christ -- History -- 20th century
Correspondence
Publications
Giboney, Terry
Giboney, Susan Kay
Ibaraki Kirisutokyō Daigaku