Obituary of Oscar Eugene Proctor

Oscar Eugene (Gene) Proctor December 5, 1924 - June 5, 2011 Calling himself a Florida Cracker, Gene always had a yearn for adventure. His wanderlust carried him from a family farm in Pedro, FL and home in Summerfield, to travel the world many times. After high school graduation in 1942, he left Summerfield at age 17 to assist and chauffeur the Florida State Commissioner of Agriculture throughout the state. At 18, he joined the U.S. Navy, where he served in the Pacific during World War II. He later attended the University of Florida to graduate in 1950. Always ready to meet a challenge, Gene worked several jobs to get through college, including participation in an Army Reserve with an Amphibious Tank Battalion unit. Following graduation, Gene worked for an agricultural chemical company in Florida, but the job shortly ended when his battalion was called to active duty in the Korean War. During amphibious landing training operation on the central California coast, Gene met Rose, his wife to be. They married in 1951 and celebrated their 51 wedding anniversary before Rose's death. After discharge from the Army, Gene began employment as a surveyor with Bechtel Corporation, a large industrial engineering and construction company. The job he assumes to be temporary soon changed his life, as he found the engineering construction industry exciting and dynamic. Later stationed in San Francisco, his continued hard work and study brought many successful achievements, including assignments on several major projects in the U.S., Canada, Europe, South Africa, Latin America, Asia, Australia, and Saudi Arabia. Between 1978 and 1985, he spent seven years helping to create the $20 billion infrastructure of Jubail, to create the new industrial city on the Persian Gulf, as well as a $3 billion oil refinery project in the north-central Arabian desert. Gene's career at Bechtel spanned 31 years until retirement in 1985. After retirement, Gene served as a director of his homeowners association in Walnut Creek, CA. He was an avid sports and fitness fan, which included swimming laps and going to SF 49er games. He and Rose also enjoyed Bible study and spending time with family. "Wanderlust, challenge, and adventure," Gene said after retirement, "I sure do miss it". He will be greatly missed, but the strong family love and values he lived by will always live on. Gene passed on in Brandon, FL of natural causes. Preceded in death by his loving wife Rose, he is survived by daughter, Karin Proctor in Brandon, FL, step-son, Richard Robles and step-grandson, Kirk Robles in the San Francisco Bay Area, brother, Bill Proctor of Leesburg, FL, sister, Lorita Reinhart of Ocklawaha, FL, and many adoring nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held June 10, 2011 2:PM at 1st Baptist Church in Oxford, FL, followed by a graveside service at Pine Level Cemetery in Oxford. Arrangements entrusted with HIERS-BAXLEY FUNERAL SERVICES, 352-245-2424. Sentiments may be left online at www.hiers-baxley.com.