Eugene White Spilker

Eugene "Gene" White Spilker, passed away on October 20th in Dallas, Texas, at the age of 92. Born on November 12, 1931 in St. Louis, Missouri, Gene led a life marked by devotion to his family, passion for sports, commitment to lifelong learning, and a distinguished career. He was always kind, thoughtful, and humorous. He was married to Harriet for over 67 years and they were inseparable, demonstrating what true love is about. He was very protective of her and took pride in making sure she was well taken care of during their married life.

Gene graduated from Clayton High School in 1949, where he was the captain of the golf team for two consecutive years. He furthered his education at Washington University, earning a Bachelor's degree in Business in 1958 and later a Master's degree in 1994 after his retirement. Gene proudly served in the United States Air Force as a Cryptographer during the Korean War from 1951 to 1955, dedicating four years to his country in a crucial role.

Professionally, Gene's career spanned over three decades at Brown Shoe Company, where he worked from 1957 until his retirement in 1992. Beyond his professional and military service, Gene was an avid sports enthusiast. He was a two-time St. Louis District Junior Golf Champion and competed in both the Missouri and National State Junior Golf Championships. His athletic spirit thrived into his senior years, earning him hundreds of medals in the Senior Olympics, particularly in basketball, racquetball, and added new sports like javelin and shot-put. He was often seen in the halls of Highland Springs walking three to four miles daily to maintain his high school weight.

Gene's zest for life extended deeply into his personal life. Known for a keen sense of humor and a twinkle in his blue eyes, he always kept his family laughing and continued to do so until his final days. He was a dedicated family man with his own children and as their families grew, actively participated in all his grandchildren’s activities. He was there to teach them his love of sports, specifically golf and stick hockey, celebrate their birthdays, cheer them on from the sidelines, and encourage their academic successes. His love for tailgating at Rams football games became a cherished tradition, and his unwavering support for Cardinals baseball showcased his loyalty and passion.

Gene is survived by his wife Harriet Spilker, daughters Karolyn Fritz and Suzy Ballantyne, sons-in-law Dale Fritz and Chris Ballantyne, grandchildren Patrick, Tyler, Katie, Kaitlyn, and Davis, and favorite granddog Scottie. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Barbara Spilker. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Selma White Spilker, and his brother, Jack Spilker.

A private service will be held for Gene where his family will celebrate his life and share memorable stories. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org/donate or to First Tee at https://firsttee.org/donate, two charities that were significant in his life. Gene's legacy of joy, family devotion, and community involvement will be fondly remembered and sorely missed by all who knew him.