Dr. Thomas Eugene "Gene" Reagan

Dr. Thomas Eugene “Gene” Reagan, a resident of Baton Rouge, LA died on December 14, 2023. He was born on January 12, 1947 in Tylertown, MS and was 76 years old. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Baton Rouge, LA in 1965. He received a B.S. and M.S. in Entomology from Louisiana State University in 1970 & 1972, as well as a PhD in Entomology from North Carolina State University in 1975. He was an internationally recognized expert on the ecology and management of sugarcane insects. He had more than 530 publications and trained and mentored many successful graduate students throughout his 46 year career. He was the Austin C. Thompson Distinguished Professor of Entomology at LSU, and his work was his passion and hobby. He was a long-term member and Deacon at First Baptist Church of Baton Rouge, where he enjoyed singing in the choir and where he met the love of his life, Sheila. His proudest accomplishments were his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sheila Burleigh Reagan; son, William E. Reagan (Michelle); daughters Joy E. Lynch (Carlton) and Jill R. Everett (Ryan); granddaughters, McKenzie Reagan, Lauren Reagan, Taylor Reagan, Hannah Lynch, and Olivia Everett; grandsons, Micah Lynch and Ethan Everett. He was preceded in death by his parents John T. Reagan and Faye Alford Reagan. A visitation for Gene will be held Thursday, December 21, 2023 from 10:00 AM until the service at 12:00 PM at First Baptist Church, 529 Convention Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802. A graveside service and burial will follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory, 11817 Jefferson Hwy, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Gene’s name to First Baptist Church of Baton Rouge or the Rachel Carson Council (RCC: rachelcarsoncouncil.org). To view and sign the online guestbook, please visit www.rabenhorst.com