Gene Paul Annan

Gene Paul Annan, 78 years old, was born on May 23, 1940 to James Annan and Clarice Paxton Annan (both deceased) in Fairmont, West Virginia. Gene passed away on January 1, 2019 at Hospice of the Comforter in Altamonte Springs, FL.

During his childhood, his family resided in Baltimore, MD, Monongah, WV, and mostly at 810 Vermont Ave., Fairmont, WV. Gene is survived by his four brothers: John Pat Annan, Robert (Bob) Annan, Tom Annan all of Fairmont West Virginia and James (Joe) Annan, world traveler. He is also survived by his sister, Susan Annan Patton of Davidsonville, MD. His home base in Fairmont and family were very special to Gene all of his life.

Gene grew up attending St. Peter’s Catholic School in Fairmont from elementary school through high school graduation. He then attended Fairmont State College for a while. Gene had the distinction of earning a scholarship to belong to the Civil Air Patrol in his high school years, and had a pilot’s license to fly before he was old enough for a driver’s license. We still have the part of his shirt that was cut from his first solo flight. He was very proud of his pilot’s license and loved being in the skies over West Virginia.

In 1959 at the age of 19, Gene enlisted in the United States Air Force. His career in the Air Force spanned 12 years and took him many places including Texas, Louisiana, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Thailand, Viet Nam, Dover, Delaware and Indianapolis, Indiana. Gene was stationed twice in Orlando at Orlando Air Force Base and McCoy Air Force Base. His military time in Orlando caused him to decide to move to Orlando when he was discharged from the Air Force. Throughout his military career, Gene had a great deal of training and worked with the Air Force Police, Combat Security Police, and the Office of Special Investigations. While stationed in Orlando he completed training and graduated from the Orlando Police Academy. Gene enjoyed some of his deployments, especially Germany, and through his time fighting in the VietNam War he came to understand the impact that PTSD from war brought to those who go to battle.

After discharge from the Air Force, Gene returned to Winter Park to live and work. Soon after moving to Orlando, Gene met Marilyn Boyett Annan (who survives him) in 1971, and they married on June 12, 1972. They enjoyed 46 years of life as a devoted couple.

Gene began working in Orlando in the Security Business at the time when Disney World was under construction, and there was a great demand for Security Guards. Gene was a licensed Private Investigator and opened his own business providing services in Central Florida. At the same time, Gene completed his Associate of Science Degree and his Associate of Arts Degree from Valencia Community College. He then pursued his degree in Allied Legal Studies at UCF and combined his investigative work with para-legal work for local attorneys. As time went on, Gene was inspired to try to establish a real-time software package for law offices. He worked diligently at this, but did not realize the success that he wanted in this field.

On April 14, 1982, Gene and Marilyn were blessed with the birth of a daughter, Jennifer Leigh Annan. Gene was thrilled to be Jennifer’s dad. Gene influenced his daughter to be inquisitive of all situations and to be very detail and solution oriented. He was so proud of her accomplishments in education and her career in Construction Management. On Sept. 11, 2015, Gene’s only grandchild Brady Camden Annan was born. He was very excited to be a granddad.

Over his lifetime, Gene experienced many life threatening illnesses. He was one of the most determined men anyone could ever know in his will to survive and thrive in tough situations. He never let those illnesses define him, and he refused to give in to them. He was a tough, but very sensitive and loving guy. He would do anything at anytime for his family and friends.

Gene’s spiritual life began as he was devoutly raised in the Catholic Church. Even to the end of his life, he valued the traditions that he learned as a child. After a very major stroke in 2011, Gene met and became close to the minister of St. Andrews United Methodist Church, Dr. Harold Custer. They bonded over their mutual roots in West Virginia and a great love for the state. As their connection grew, Gene grew stronger in his faith in the Lord, and joined the Methodist Church, wanting in every way to serve and help there, in spite of his health problems. He was proud to be a part of the St. Andrews church family, and his faith gave him strength and comfort. Gene would often be seen praying the rosary along with his other prayers. There is no doubt that he transitioned to heaven with his last breath, to meet God and his loved family, friends and pets that had gone on before him. We rejoice that he is now well and in perfect peace with the Lord, and are comforted that we, too, will be reunited with him one day. We feel his presence even now. He is our Guardian Angel.

Graveside Services will be held 2 PM Thursday, January 10, 2019 at Florida National Cemetery. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11 AM Friday, January 11, 2019 at St. Andrews United Methodist Church with a reception to follow at church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

Valor Medical Service Dogs - They provide Service Dogs for Veterans with PTSD, something Gene would have loved tremendously. It is a local organization. www.valormedicalservicedogs.com or

The Alzheimer’s Association – A disease from which Gene and his Mother suffered and desperately hoped for a cure to be found for himself and others.

https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=32112&32112.donation=form1

Arrangements entrusted to Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, Goldenrod Chapel, 7520 Aloma Ave. Winter Park, Florida 32792. Please view and sign the guestbook at www.baldwinfairchildgoldenrod.com