Benjamin "Gene" Eugene Reitz

Benjamin Eugene Reitz was born on February 4, 1937, and passed away peacefully on December 16, 2023, in Fresno, California. He was a graduate of Central Union High School, class of 1954 and attended Fresno State Collage for one year. Gene was a lifelong farmer. He grew up helping his parents on their raisin farm then after college Gene went on to farming almonds, cotton and alfalfa, eventually becoming a full-time raisin farmer. He was married to his wife Evelyn and raised 4 wonderful children who helped Gene and Evelyn every day on the ranch. He enjoyed tinkering in his shops and was active up to his very last days. He loved to talk about what was happening with the vineyards and the progress he was making on various projects. He always made sure his shops were well organized and vineyards meticulously maintained. He had a passion to restore classic cars and antique tractors which he would spend countless hours working on. He was blessed with a beautiful family that adopted the goodness of his work ethic.

He was preceded in death by his father, Benjamin Reitz, mother, Marie Katherine Metzler-Reitz, brother Vernon Leroy Reitz, son Marvin Glen Reitz and son in law Edward Mark Robinson.

He is survived by his loving wife Evelyn Reitz, son Steven Reitz and his wife Kristie, daughters Stephanie Reitz-Robinson and Sandra Reitz-Mikaelian, her husband Michael and daughter in law Tiffanie Reitz, 7 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 27, 2023 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Stephens and Bean Funeral Chapel. A Graveside service will be held at Fresno Memorial Gardens on Thursday, December 28, 2023 at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flower donations may be made to the charity of choice