Horace Eugene "Gene" Pflieger

Horace Eugene (Gene) Pflieger, born April 26, 1927 in Columbus Ohio to Orin Leo Pflieger and Esther Lillian (Kiner) Buzzard, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Friday, January 17, 2025. He is pre-deceased by his beloved wife of 69+ years, Marilyn Jane Call (Fudgie) Pflieger.

He is survived by his sister Colleen Davis, son Mark Eugene Pflieger (Pam), daughter Marta Ann Brown (Jeffrey), daughter Marilu Pflieger Moye (Andrew), granddaughters Kara Ann Wells (Brad), Mary Elizabeth Fernandez (Fred), Allyson Jane Timko (Dave), Kayleigh Alyse McCord, and Alena Irene Taylor (Nathan), 11 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and countless friends.

Gene is also pre-deceased by his parents and step parents (William Buzzard and Mabel Pflieger), his siblings Robert Pflieger, Rosalie Habener, William Pflieger and Paul Pflieger.

Growing up in Mifflin Township, Gene graduated from Mifflin High School in 1945. Right out of high school, he enlisted to serve in the Army Air Corps. After returning from serving in France, Germany and Belgium, he attended Otterbein College where he played football.

Gene married Fudgie on June 11, 1949. In the next year, he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at The Ohio State University. Fudgie’s father, Dudley Call, convinced Gene to help grow his fledgling insurance business. Gene jumped in with both feet and bought the Call Insurance Agency. He always pursued general self-improvement while also striving to act more and more as a true professional in the insurance specialty by earning the advanced CPCU and CIC designations. Gene pioneered the use of computers in independent insurance agencies and was active in the society of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA). His ethic of working hard and smart did not go unnoticed. In time, his peers elected him as president of the Ohio PIA. But most of all, Gene was well loved by his clients who surely missed his unique personal touch when he retired in 1992.

Gene was a founding member of Worthington Christian Church. He loved studying The Bible and digging into the scriptures. He didn’t just study The Bible, he lived it!

He was actively involved in volunteer community service. Inspired by the YMCA Indian Guides approach to fostering father-son relationships, Gene planted a local “tribe” which spawned other tribes in Worthington. He was involved in the Lions Club, Cardinal Boosters, and Swiminc, Inc. One could often see him walking up and down the side of a swimming pool as a swimming judge. The building of the Worthington Natatorium was a passion that Gene saw to fruition in 1972. Rarely did he miss any of his children’s events.

His family was always delighted to hear Gene sing songs and recite ditties from his childhood. He had one for every occasion. His smile and optimistic outlook were contagious. He had a zest for nature and shared this by taking his family on many camping trips. Spending time on Driftwood Island in Canada fishing, boating, and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation was one of the biggest joys of his life. And he could fix almost anything.

In the face of death, Gene exemplified his courage, lack of fear, and patient endurance. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7

Calling Hours will be on Saturday, January 25, 2025 from 12:00-2:00 pm with Celebration of Life following at 2:00 pm at Worthington Christian Church, 8145 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43235.

The service will also be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/@WorthingtonChristianChurch

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Worthington Christian Church.