Gene attended Northeastern High School in Detroit, Michigan where he played basketball when he wasn’t delivering newspapers in any of his three paper routes.
Gene enlisted in the United States Navy in March of 1953. From October 12, 1953, to March 7, 1955, he was an honored member of the first and most illustrious navy crew which distinguished itself forever when it commissioned the good ship USS John S. McCain DT-3 (a guided-missile destroyer leader) on his maiden voyage. Ports of call included Cuba, Jamaica, Boston, Chicago and more. Before his Honorable discharge from the Navy in 1955, Gene was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.
Gene returned to Michigan and married JoAnn Loudermilk on October 25, 1958. The couple spent most of their adult life living in Rochester Hills, Michigan.
Gene had a career in the beverage industry that lasted decades. Primarily as a Driver/Salesman for PepsiCo, Inc. He also served as a volunteer for the “Corner Shower and Laundry” based out of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Detroit, providing meals, showers, and laundry facilities for the homeless and others in need. Gene was passionate about trees, his family, and a good poker game – not necessarily in that order.
Gene is survived by his wife JoAnn (Loudermilk), daughter Kathryn Bauss, daughter Karie (Tom) Boylan, grandchildren Joshua Bauss, Ann Kathryn (Sergio) Alvarado, Jordan Bauss, Hannah (Rhone) Eppelheimer, and great-grandchildren Brisa Alvarado, Willow Alvarado, Rhain Eppelheimer, Elias Alvarado, and his sister Dorothea Wilamowski, sister-in-law Dana Loudermilk, brother and sister-in-law David and Charlene Loudermilk and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service will be held on Friday, February 24, 2023, at 12:00 noon ( gathering at 11:30 a.m.) at St. Kieran Catholic Church at 53600 Mound Road, Shelby Township, Michigan 48316 (586.781.4901). Gene will be interned in the Great Lakes National Cemetery with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the “CornerShowerandlaundry.com” c/o St. Peter’s Church 1950 Trumbull Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48216.
To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/rochester-mi/pixley-funeral-home/2739
