Eugene Albert DeBaker, 85, passed away on Wednesday (March 7, 2018) at his residence surrounded by his loving family. Gene was born on July 23, 1932 in Leopolis, WI to the late Albert Joseph & Cora Marion (Brunner) DeBaker.
Gene has been a devoted member of St. Dominic’s Catholic Church since 1955. He was a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus as well as a Past Faithful Navigator.
Gene and Rena traveled extensively, enjoying God’s beauty around the world and spending time with their family and friends. He retired from Eastman Chemical Company in 1987 as a Mechanical Engineer after more than 33 years of dedicated service. Gene was a certified Tennessee Wildlife Safety Hunter Instructor. It was with great pride and honor that he educated our young hunters, not only regarding hunting, but with emphasis on the importance of gun safety and responsibility. Gene was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, brother, and friend; he will be greatly missed.
In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Rena S. DeBaker.
Left to cherish his memories are his two daughters, Regina A. DeBaker-Bonyadi & husband Byron and Deborah R. Titpon & husband Ken; three grandchildren, Deborah Morgan Tipton, Brogun Albert Tipton, and Cyrus Jian Bonyadi; brother, Joseph Roy DeBaker; two sisters, Karen DeBaker Knitt and Patricia DeBaker Hoffman; several nieces, nephews, and a host of friends, and Brother Knights.
The family will receive friends on Friday (March 9, 2018) from 5 to 7 p.m. at East Lawn Funeral Home.
A funeral mass will be held on Saturday (March 10, 2018) at 8:30 a.m. at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church (2517 N John B Dennis Hwy Kingsport, TN 37660) with Father Michael Cummings officiating. Gene will be laid to rest beside of his beloved wife on Saturday (March 10, 2018) at 10 a.m. in the Garden of the Good Shepherd at East Lawn Memorial Park. Military rites will be provided by American Legion Posts 3/265. Knights of Columbus Counsel 6992 will be serving as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Beginning of Life Memorial Fund for Gene DeBaker’s grandchildren via PayPal at [email protected].
Online condolences may be made to the DeBaker family at www.eastlawnkingsport.com. East Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park has the honor of serving the DeBaker family.
