Eugene Hugh Topper

Gene was warm, funny and intelligent, unflagging in service to faith and fellow man, a supportive father and husband, and a dear friend to all who knew him.

Gene was the son of Eleanor Punderson and Archibald Peebles, and his youth in Ohio was marked by carefree days and a close, mentoring relationship with his beloved grandfather, Lemuel Punderson. He attended Grand River Academy in Ohio and later moved with his mother to Southern California, where he attended John Marshall Junior High in Pasadena. In California, his mother met the love of her life, Sid Topper, and Gene took the Topper name. He doted on his younger sister Shawn, and spoke fondly of his youthful days in California. He joined the Civil Air Patrol youth program in 1953, and graduated from Monrovia-Duarte High School in 1957.

After high school, Gene attended Pasadena City College before enlisting in the Air Force in 1958. He served four years in the Air Force as a firefighter, and was stationed in Greenland and Japan. After an honorable discharge from the Air Force, Gene worked as a firefighter cutting lines for forest fires in and around Southern California, and took classes at Citrus College in Glendora. He later worked at a state psychiatric hospital as an orderly, where he met Beth Needham, another employee at the hospital. They fell in love and were married in 1965. Gene became the proud father of Beth's two-year-old son, Jeff, and the three of them made their home in Glendora.

Gene continued to take classes in Southern California, culminating with a degree in mechanical design and drafting. In 1973, Gene was baptized and confirmed in the LDS church by his father-in-law, Jack Needham. After moving to Boise, he was sealed to his family in the Idaho Falls temple.

Gene lived a life of service, and as a devoted husband and father he wore many hats in many places—besides working as a firefighter and a hospital technician in California, he worked as a mechanical draftsman for engineering companies Morrison Knudson in Idaho, and Davy McKee in Florida. He drafted for Piper Aircraft in Florida and taught drafting at Traviss Technical College, a local vocational-technical school. Gene later worked as a correctional officer for Polk County, Florida and after moving to Arizona, he and Beth both worked for the Best Western Hotels call center for many years.

Gene loved working with people and, after retirement, he and Beth served an LDS temple mission in the Employment Center, helping others find jobs. Gene later served at Banner Boswell as an LDS hospital chaplain—a volunteer job he truly loved—meeting with church members who had been admitted and administering to their needs. He took up photography and created beautiful studies of flowers and LDS temple architecture. Even a stroke in 2019 didn't slow Gene down for long—he was offered a job at his local Einstein Bros. Bagels and worked until January of this year, only truly retiring at the age of 85.

Gene was a devoted father and husband, and in their 59-year marriage, Gene and Beth raised three sons: Jeff Topper, Doug Topper and Brad Topper. He remained a supportive and steady presence in his family throughout his life. He passed on to his family his generosity and a respect for others, his love of art, music and literature, his wry sense of humor, and his humility before others and God.

Gene is survived by his beloved wife, L. Beth Topper of Sun City, AZ; his sons, Douglas Eugene Topper and his wife Laurie of Long Beach, CA, Brad Topper and his wife Jeanette of Peoria, AZ, and Jeff S. Topper and his wife Deb of Branson, MO. He is also survived by his sister, Shawn Conrad, and her husband Robert Conrad of Ohio, along with their daughter, Jill Arab. He is further survived by his grandchildren: Georgia and Eleanor Topper of Long Beach, CA; Courtney Baker and David Topper of Peoria, AZ; Kody S. Topper of Branson, MO; and Shaleign E. Topper of St. Louis, MO. Additionally, he leaves behind two great-grandchildren, Rayne E. Meekie and Ryland E. Meekie, both of St. Louis, MO. He was preceded in death by his nephew, Robbie Conrad.

Gene's memory will be forever cherished and a blessing to his family and friends.

A funeral service for Eugene will be held Thursday, August 29, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 13014 N 108th Ave, Sun City, AZ 85351. Following the funeral service will be a committal service from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Phoenix Memorial Park and Mortuary, 200 West Beardsley Road, Phoenix, AZ 85027.