Eugene Barbee

Eugene (Gene) Gray Barbee, 90, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2025 after a long, adventure filled life and hard-fought battle against Parkinson’s Disease. Born August 9, 1935 in Gladewater, Texas, he was the beloved son of Harry and Flossie Barbee and brother to Harry Jr., Clifford, and Jeanett; all preceding him in death.

Gene was a proud US Air Force veteran and spent 28 years working as an electrician and system specialist in the steel mills of Northwest Indiana. Following his career in the steel mills, he and two friends formed their own business, Educational Systems Workshops, Inc., where he returned to the steel mills and other industries to teach systems use to their employees. Gene was extremely proud of the business that he and his friends built and he continued to teach for them after he retired. Upon retiring, he settled in Hot Springs, Arkansas and thrived for over 30 years.

Gene was a lifelong learner, endlessly curious about the world and how things worked. He took great pleasure in sharing that knowledge with others including his family, coworkers, his Sunday school class, and even those learning English as a second language. He always found a way to share what he knew in a manner that made learning fun. Gene truly believed you were never too old to learn something new.

Gene spent his retired years fishing, volunteering, gardening, wood carving, and traveling. After retiring, he fulfilled his greatest desire and bought a fifth wheel RV to travel and explore the United States. It can be said Gene never met a road trip he didn’t like. While he was always studying his Rand McNally looking for a travel adventure, his family was what he cherished the most in his life. While his love for his children was endless, they were lovingly nudged to the side when the grandchildren and great-grandchildren came along. He was immensely proud of each one of them and never hesitated to share pictures, stories, and all their accomplishments as often as he could.

Gene is preceded in death by Eula Ann Calloway Barbee, loving mother to Angela and David, in 1987 after 23 years of marriage and Shirley Jean Mitchell Barbee in 2021 after 25 years of marriage.

Gene is survived by his wife, Sue Barbee: his children Angela (Thomas) Gerike and David (Cheryl) Barbee; grandchildren Amanda (Tim) Makos, Brian (Jessica) Gerike, and Andrew Barbee; great-grandchildren Lily and Molly Makos; and several nieces.

A celebration of life will be held on October 3, 2025 at 10am at Grand Avenue United Methodist Church in Hot Springs. Interment will take place at 1pm in the Columbarium at First United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

The family would like to thank the entire staff of West Shores Assisted Living and the staff at Hospice Homecare, especially Michelle, for all the love and compassionate care they gave Gene the past few years.

Goodbyes are not forever. Goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean I’ll miss you until we meet again – Anonymous