Eugene Andrew Forge

Eugene A. “Gene” Forge, 88, of San Antonio, Texas died on December 3, 2020 at Methodist Hospital Northeast in Live Oak, surrounded by family. Gene was born on February 7, 1932 at the family farm home near Leavenworth, Kansas, to parents Herman J. and Cecilia A. (Schmidt) Forge, Sr. He received his elementary education at the one-room Coffin Grade School and graduated from Immaculata High School, Leavenworth in 1949, lettering in football.

After working on the family farm for three years, Gene enlisted in the Air Force on November 10, 1952, which gave him the opportunity to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming a pilot. Gene was accepted into the Aviation Cadet pilot training program and won his wings, designated a Distinguished Graduate of the class of “55A”. On October 2, 1954, three days after receiving a 2nd Lieutenant commission, Gene married his hometown sweetheart Patricia Anne Santa at the Old Cathedral in Leavenworth.

Lt. Forge was assigned to the Air Defense Command where he flew fighter interceptors, the F-86D, F-102 and F-106, at various bases throughout the United States, including Alaska. In 1961, Gene competed in a four-pilot Alaskan Air Command team at the Air Force Fighter Interceptor Weapons Meet dubbed “William Tell 61” held at Tyndall AFB, Florida, an elite air-to-air drone target competition that in later years included a “Top Gun” award. Gene was also featured in a rousing Cuban Missile Crisis-era Denver Post article (Dec. 31, 1962) entitled “Klaxon Cries in Alaskan Night; Jets Scramble.” In 1966, on assignment to the Tactical Air Command, Gene transitioned into the RF-4C Phantom jet. In 1967 he was assigned a tour of duty to Tan Son Nhut AB, Vietnam where he completed 206 photo reconnaissance missions, 100 of which were over North Vietnam. His next assignment was to Fort Carson, Colorado as Air Force liaison with the Army, where he also began his final push to obtain a college degree. After many years of night school, Gene attended the University of Southern Colorado (now CSU-Pueblo) under “Operation Bootstrap” and received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1970. Gene’s last assignment was to the 91st TRS at Bergstrom AFB, Texas where he continued to fly the RF-4C until retirement in May 1973 as a Lieutenant Colonel and Command Pilot with over 4,800 hours of flying time.

Decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 15 oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation with one oak leaf cluster and numerous other medals and awards.

Gene put away his flying gear after his Air Force career and took a new direction by becoming an Auditor/Fraud Investigator with the Texas Dept. of Human Resources. He subsequently became a Fraud Investigator with the Texas Attorney General’s office. In 1985, after completing 10 years with the State, Gene left the work force to devote full time to travel and golf.

Gene quickly made Texas his longterm home with family boating on Lake Travis, picnics with family and friends at the cabin of his 15-acre Hill Country spread in Dripping Springs, attendance at Dallas Cowboy football games, as well as involvement in various organizations and church. In addition to his love of family, he smoked a mean brisket, appreciated a good beer, and enjoyed the company of his beloved Jack Russell terriers. Gene’s devotion to duty was equally matched by his ever present sense of humor.

Ten years after the passing of his wife Patricia, Gene found love a second time around and on March 8, 2014 at the age of 82 married Carlene Downey at Mary Immaculate Church, Dallas Texas: his son Michael officiated the ceremony.

Gene is survived by his wife, Carlene; four children: Linda Mellon Ph.D., Rev. Michael Forge, Patrice (Craig) Palmer, and Dayna (Anthony) Pembo; six grandchildren: Katherine Mellon; Eric, Jeanette and Jill Porter; Michelle and Jacquelyn Pembo; great-grandchildren Zachary and Isabel; stepchildren Michael Downey and Dana Price; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Herman and Cecilia Forge; Patricia, his wife of 49 years; two premature infant babies, Mary and Paul; one brother, Herman J. (Junior) Forge; and one sister, Sister Helen Forge SCL.

A Vigil Service will be held 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 8 at Colonial Funeral Home, 625 Kitty Hawk Rd., Universal City. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Wednesday, December 9 at St John Neumann Catholic Church, 6680 Crestway Dr, San Antonio, Texas. Committal services will follow at Cook-Walden Memorial Hill Cemetery in Pflugerville. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, simply join us spiritually.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Gene’s name in memory of Sister Helen Forge may be made to the University of St Mary, Office of University Advancement, 4100 S 4th St., Leavenworth, KS 66048 or online at stmary.edu (suggested: the Education Department or the Annual Scholarship Fund).