Eugene Gene Gregg LaShell

Eugene Gregg LaShell , born in Arkansas, February 8, 1921, passed away on April 13th, 2012. He was survived by his wife of 60 years, Charmaine, and his 4 adult children, Deborah Zaida, Jeannine Allen, Nan LaShell and Eugene Jr., along with 9 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

A rising football star in college, Eugene was nicknamed “The Jeep” after the character in the Popeye cartoon who was so fast, he seemed to disappear and appear down the field. In 1942, after one year at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, Gene forsook that glory to join the Marine Corps and serve his country during WWII. He served in the South Pacific, on Okinawa. On May 11th, 1945, four months before the end of the war, Corporal LaShell and a buddy were scouting the top of a rugged Okinawa mountain when a Japanese mortar shell burst in their foxhole. The explosion completely blew off one of Gene’s legs and also his foot on his remaining leg. As Gene used to tell it, “I picked up my leg and held it in my hand, I tried to hold my other foot on, but I knew that I would never play football again.” Finally, the medics got to him and carried him down the mountain, dropping him twice while dodging sniper fire. After a year in Naval hospitals in Saipan and Mare Island, he was awarded the Purple Heart and honorably discharged from the Marine Corps.

Gene was fitted with prosthetic legs and got around very well; many never knew he was handicapped. Always laughing and smiling, he was determined to live a full life. In 1951, he married beautiful Charmaine LaDuke from Detroit, MI. They bought a house in Whittier, Calif., and Gene began a career at Southern California Racetracks Assoc., working in various capacities until he retired and moved to Olympia, Washington in 1972.

His kids fondly remember their Dad’s love for travelling, camping and exploring the U.S. They had many adventures discovering the great outdoors in many different States. His family is very proud of their Dad’s brave and honorary service to our country. He will be greatly missed.