Gilbert E. "Gib" Johnson
1941-1973

Gib's 32 years of service was a state longevity record at the time of his retirement. Because of his long tenure, Gib earned the nickname "Dean Of The Courthouse". Fellow Tax Collector Curtis Ezelle of neighboring Hardee County now holds the (state and national) record with 48 years of service. Ezelle served from 1948 to 1996.

Gib's brother Henry was Manatee County's first major league baseball player. Henry was first called up by the New York Yankees at the tail end of the 1927 (they won the World Series and Babe Ruth hit 60 homeruns on that team) season. As a publicity stunt, the St. Louis Cardinals signed Gib in 1928 to pitch in a spring training game in Bradenton against his brother Henry and New York Yankees. Both started the game. Gib pitched 2 and 2/3 innings and struck out Babe Ruth and retired Lou Gehrig. Henry hit a triple off Gib. The Cardinals won the game in extra innings.
Henry later worked for Gib in the Tax Collector's office.

Gib's father was Morgan Johnson who has a county road named after him in east Manatee County.