Monday, April 15, 2019
I met Gene in the 3rd grade and we became instant friends, inseparable for the remainder of his life. He and I shared more memories over the 55-plus years than could be contained in an entire set of encyclopedias.
While I have been blessed with many, many friends in my life, I have had only a small handful that I love and trust as I would an identical twin. Gene was the first among that group.
He joined the Air Force about 2 years prior to me and was instrumental in not only getting me to join, but to choose a great career field and getting stationed at Ellsworth AFB, SD. We spent 8 years together there before he separated from the service and moved back to our home-state, Florida.
I just talked with him two weeks ago and we talked of the short-time ahead when Debbie and I would relocate there for our winter home. We always finished our conversations with "I love you brother."
Little did I know that this was to be our last conversation--his illness was sudden and quick. The full weight of his passing is yet to sink in.
I am comforted by two things: His love for Jesus Christ and that his wish for not having a long, lingering illness was granted by God.
I love you my brother. I miss you so much all ready. I'm so sorry that we couldn't get a chance to share much more time together.
Ocala (352) 414-4206 | The Villages (352) 561-8048 
Live Chat
Chat
