Gene was born in Tempe, Arizona to Bert and Anna Minor. He is the younger twin brother of Bill Minor. The family moved to Los Angeles, California where the twins graduated from Fremont High School. During high school Gene joined the Dunamis Club, an organization that later became the Navigators. It was the discipline he learned then that led him to memorize one Bible verse per month, which he did until the end of his life.
Gene joined the Army Air Corps to serve in World War II. As a Tech Sergeant he operated and repaired radio equipment completing thirty-three B-17 bombing missions over Europe. His plane sometimes went limping back to base, but it was never shot down. Gene was proud to serve his country. He is well remembered for wearing his uniform on all military holidays.
While attending Wheaton College after the war, he fell in love with and married Dorothy Hendrich. They graduated from Wheaton College in 1949. Called to foreign missions, they were accepted as missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators that same year. Their goal was to go to a people group whose language was not in written form, learn the language, and create an alphabet in order to translate the Bible, and also produce community service publications. During their missionary training two children were born. They flew to Peru with one year old Ruth and six week old Dan to begin work from Wycliffe’s jungle center, Yarina Cocha. Joe, Rachel, Lois and stillborn Eunice were born during their time in Peru.
Gene was immediately assigned to operate the radio control tower. He resisted this until he found the radio tower had Army surplus equipment, the same as he had used on the B-17 bomber - which he could operate well and “take apart and reassemble in his sleep.” Over the years, when not in the jungle location, he trained a sixteen year old Peruvian man who later spent a lifetime working with HCJB Radio in Quito, Ecuador. He also trained the first woman at Yarina Cocha to run the radio control tower. Later, in Colombia, he also trained a high school girl to operate the control tower there.
Working 15 years in Peru and 21 in Colombia, Gene translated the New Testament, Old Testament passages referred to in the New Testament, and health and community development materials for the Witoto people of the Amazon jungle. Dorothy did much of the literacy work. When they left, there were a number of believers who were literate and able to participate in the national life of their country.
Upon completing their fieldwork they settled in Duncanville, Texas. Gene served at the Dallas Wycliffe/SIL International Linguistic Center working in the Translation Department as an editor preparing materials for publication. Finally, at age 92, he retired.
Among the multitude of Bible verses Gene memorized, this is one of his favorites:
Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes in him who sent me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” – John 5:24.
The last verse he memorized and shared with family in the weeks before his passing is:
“The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.” – Psalm 29:11
We praise God for the fruitful life of Eugene Minor. Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, Bert and Anna Minor; his twin brother, Bill; an infant daughter, Eunice Kay; and an adult son, Daniel Minor. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Dorothy, and children Ruth Bellamy, Joseph Minor (Shelli), Rachel Freiberger (Doug), Lois Taylor, daughter-in-law Pam Minor, 14 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and a host of nephews and nieces.
Partager l'avis de décèsPARTAGER
v.1.11.6