Gene was born on November 4, 1916, in Denver, Colorado. He moved to Castle Rock, Colorado when he was a senior in Douglas County High School. There he met the love of his life, Marjorie Wehmhoff. They fell in love and were married shortly after graduation. He worked for the railroad as a laborer and later entered the Air Force Officer Training School and became an instructor pilot at Lowery Air Force Base in Denver.
After WWII he left active duty service and went into the Reserves. While on reserve status he became a Denver Police Officer. When the Korean conflict began he was recalled to active duty and decided to make the Air Force his career. He spent the majority of his career as a B29/B36 pilot and did reconnaissance missions. After the Korean conflict Gene and family were stationed in many places around the world including New Mexico, Japan, California, Puerto Rico, the Pentagon, and Texas. He finished his career at Ent AFB in Colorado Springs, retiring as a full Colonel. Having entered officer training school with no college education, his achievement in reaching that rank is very much a credit to his determination and motivation to excel. Each of his performance ratings throughout his career were exemplary. As a command pilot his decorations include the Air Medal and three Air Force Commendation Medals. He also received two Legion of Merit Medals for superior military performance toward the end of his career.
After retirement he and Marjorie moved back to their hometown of Castle Rock where he served as Town Clerk for a few years. After leaving the Town Clerk job he and Marge traveled to many parts of the world and most of the United States, often with friends from Australia and Castle Rock.
Gene and Marge spent their final years at Pine Trails at Castle Rock (formerly Metzler Memory Care). Marjorie passed away on May 20, 2016, and Gene on November 2, 2017, two days short of his 101st birthday.
Gene is survived by his three daughters, Patricia Benefiel of Castle Rock, Robin Toutant of Bruce, Wisconsin, and Sheri Stewart of Austin, Texas, as well as six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Wherever Gene and Marge walked together they always held hands. This is a memory their daughters will cherish forever!
Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Andrews Caldwell Gibson Chapel, Castle Rock, CO.
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