Gene was giving to a fault. He worked 2 jobs constantly so his daughters, Megan and Kelley could have everything they needed in life. He even started a 3rd business in the form of a small home repair operation to help elderly people who couldn't afford the hourly rate of contractors for painting, cleaning, small home repairs and the like. He would help the older women of our church bake cookies every year for their Cookie Walk fundraiser.

Gene loved to camp, bike ride, hike, fish and spend as much of his day outdoors as possible. He loved to do woodworking and created many beautiful wooden items that his daughters and I still cherish today.

When stricken with Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia at the age of 36, he worried that he wouldn't get to see his daughters graduate from school or get married but he never let it get him down. His motto became Live life to the fullest and never, never give in to the disease. He was afraid that if he gave in, it would get him so even when he was running a 104 degree temperature , he wouldn't go to the hospital because he had promised to play Simon Peter in the Maundy Thursday service at church. The next day, he allowed us to take him and he didn't come home. Gene did it all his way and no one elses. We miss him and always will hold him in our hearts.

Eugene R Fitzharris