I met Gene later in life, than most of his many friends.  It was briefly in the summer of 2005 we exchanged phone numbers and email addresses.  A week later I had made my final decision to move to Oregon to help my mom with my dad who was terminally ill.  So for a few years the only connection Gene and I had, was we became pen pals through email, and later friends on Facebook when it became popular.  When I moved to Las Vegas Gene came to visit and that is when my adventures began with him. In his visits to Las Vegas we visited Red Rock and Valley of Fire, Pawn Stars store, and other Las Vegas sites.... and restaurants.  He was definitely a foodie, like me!
   Gene was also a collector of gadgets. All these new little technology devices, or just gadgets with a unique purpose or function.   I told him once I was nicknaming him GG. for Gadget Gene. 
  Like Gene, I loved to travel, loved adventures, and the outdoors. Gene was braver than I though, I would never zip line at my age, he seemed to want to experience everything in life.  Gene was always going somewhere, Hawaii was his favorite place to visit I believe, besides visiting his family in Arizona.  I accompanied  him on a few thrilling dune buggy club functions.  They were a blast.  We had many experiences in Costa Rica, Cancun, and Rosarito Mexico.  Our last adventure, Gene had to cancel due to his health. Our trip to New Orleans and experiencing Mardi Gras and other adventures there, had been planned for a year.  While on our trip, I received the news that he had passed. I was terribly sad, and it was a bittersweet trip.  We had also had other trips we had planned and wished to visit in the future. 
 Gene wasn't finished with his adventures, but he definitely took advantage to experience all he could while he was here.  
    I miss you Gene.  You were my friend.  

“Roam abroad in the world, and take thy fill of its enjoyments before the day shall come when thou must quit it for good.” ― Saadi

Gene loved his dune buggy very much and never wanted to miss a run in Big Bear- when his car broke down, he still managed to drive up without his car just to see everyone -we could not have him miss out on the ride so we had him sit in the back and off we went with Gene as our co-pilot- best time ever

Lots and lots of memories. I think what stands out is you always had fun. I remember when I was a teenager and you and my sister got married. Your priority was your race car. Your souped up Pinto. You put lots of money into it. I know my sister did not approve because we were raised to take care of bills first and family. We were not taught to have fun and enjoy life. I am glad my sister got to at least experience some of that time with you. The last memory of spending time with him was when I came out to California to visit people and you took me for a ride in your purple dune buggy, that was so much fun. I still to this day am trying to figure out how you could afford to do all you did. 
So many memories of you, going up to Arrowhead to work on your mom's cabin, Coming over to visit Delores and you were there trying to get your brother Keith to quit being a hermit in his trailer, the holidays spent at my mom's house, seeing pics of you ice-skating and so much more. I could go on and on. You truly knew how to live life. Your life was too short on this earth just like many of the loved ones that left before you. Thanks for that ride in the dune buggy it has been on my mind so many times. It showed me how simple fun could be just going for a ride up into the mountains in a dune buggy, what a ride.

Gene has a forever place in our hearts!  Such a kind fun loving guy, always ready to join the family for outings, programs, projects and story telling.  Cannot think of Gene without thinking of his toys .... he knew how to have fun.  Seemed each time I heard from him he was returning from a fabulous trip or packing for the next one.  And who can forget his crazy jokes?  Goodbye Gene.  Thanks for being a big big part of my daughter’s and grandkids’ lives.  They called you family and I appreciate you.  You will be forever missed.

Gene had the biggest heart, he always had a smile on his face and kind or funny words to say! He always was so thoughtful and sweet! He literally would do anything for anyone! Until we meet again Gene! Rest In Peace! 

“When our turn comes to pass through the doors of death, we can say as did Paul: “The time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”  2 Tim. 4:6–7
We need not look upon death as an enemy. With full understanding and preparation, faith supplants fear. Hope displaces despair. The Lord said, “Fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full.”  D&C 101:36 He bestowed this gift: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  John 14:27”
Russell M Nelson

Gene was married to my Aunt Ann a long time ago. She passed away before I was born. But my family has always stayed in contact with him through  the year. And I became friends with him on Facebook. I always enjoyed seeing his picture of him and his adventures he would always take with his son; my cousin Jeremy and his friends. I enjoyed seeing his smile on his face. Come to think of it their really isn't many pictures he was never not smiling in. I will miss him, I wish I could have met him.  May he rest in peace. You will truly be missed Gene. 

I was a colleague of Gene at Loma Linda University Medical Center.   I'm sorry to hear of his passing away.  He was a good man and fellow Respiratory Care Practitioner.  

OBITUARY

Gene Edward Wainwright

December 5, 1951 – March 5, 2019

Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary

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