Gene was born in Purcell, Oklahoma on December 27,1950 to Ed & Ruth Wade. They moved to California when Gene was 1 year old with his Step-dad Arlis Staggs and became the 2nd of 9 children. After a short time living in Sacramento, California, they moved to the small town of New London, where he continued to live the remainder of his life.
At the young age of 19, after graduating from Dinuba High School, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served 18 months in Germany, where he participated in the Army Olympics in Munich, winning several awards in Marksmanship. He enjoyed his time in Germany.
After returning home, he had several part time jobs before starting to work at Wicks Forest Industry around 1975, working in the Bark Department, first as a sacker and ending up as a Loader Driver for 25 years. That was when the mill burnt and he went to work for the Energy Plant for the mill as a Loader Driver & then Controller for 16 years until retiring after a total of 41 years of service.
During this time, he married then divorced having 1 daughter, Katherine Marie Wade, Dinuba, Ca.
He loved going to the coast with his daughter Katherine and granddaughter, Haylee, riding his motorcycle, going camping with all the "guys" in the family, riding his quad, and watching T.V.
Gene came from a large family who loved him dearly. He had one of the funniest little laughs, and he will be missed by everyone.
