Eugene Joseph Didion

Eugene Joseph Didion, 80, of Fort Smith, died April 22, 2014. He was born March 22, 1934 in Houston, TX to Paul Peter Didion Sr. and Mary Maret Didion. He started working in the foundry business at age 6 along with his brothers to help his family. He attended Seven Holy Founders Grade School and graduated from Afton, MO High School in 1951. Gene was drafted in the Army and was stationed at Fort Hood in Killeen, TX. He married Maureen Mohan on June 18, 1960.

Gene left Didion and Sons Foundry in St. Louis to start North American Foundry in 1962 with his brothers John and Arthur, and he moved his family to Ft. Smith in 1963. Gene and his siblings eventually owned and operated foundries in St. Louis, MO, Corpus Christi, TX, and Junction City, KS in addition to NAFCO in Fort Smith. They produced gray-iron and ductile iron castings for the automotive industry and defense industry with customers nationwide.

Gene was a longtime and current board member of First National Bank Corp, was a charter member and past President of the Manufacturers Executives Association of Arkansas, and was past board member and loyal supporter of the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce in Fort Smith. Gene also collected and restored vintage automobiles and was a licensed civilian pilot.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers, Charles Didion, Paul P. Didion Jr., and Arthur Didion.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Maureen Didion; three daughters, Janet and husband Joe Gilker of Fort Smith, Jeanne and husband Jay Stringfellow of Fort Smith, and Tricia Didion of Houston, TX; one sister, Mary Lee McKean of Kirkwood, MO; one brother, John Didion of Fort Smith; and his twelve grandchildren, Jarred, Zachary, Arden, Sheldon, Harrison, Reagan, Eileen, and Eve Gilker, and Jordan, Jane Marie, Natalie, and Evan Stringfellow.

Gene is also survived by his special friend, Father Henry Mischkowiuski and his doctors at Mayo Clinic, Dr. Patton, Elaine Macomb, Dr. Buskirk, Karen and Ann.

Christian Wake and visitation will be Thursday, April 24, 2014, from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM in the Parish Hall at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1301 Frank Street, Barling, AR, and Rosary will said at 6:00 PM.

Funeral Mass will be 10:00 AM Friday, April 25, 2014, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 22 North 13th Street, Fort Smith, AR with burial at a later date in Howey-in-the-hills, Florida. Services are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be grandsons.

Our dad had the biggest heart, the best hugs and kisses. He loved life and loved his family. He always said, “Life goes by fast, so don’t be in a hurry…….slow down and enjoy it.” We will miss our German music, our many talks on the porch swing and our trips to Florida.

Memorials may be sent to: Trinity Jr. High, 1205 S. Albert Pike, Fort Smith, AR 72903, or We Care Foundation, PO Box 3431, Fort Smith, AR 72913.

Online condolences may be sent to: www.edwardsfuneralhome.com

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Eugene Joseph Didion, 80, of Fort Smith, died April 22, 2014. He was born March 22, 1934 in Houston, TX to Paul Peter Didion Sr. and Mary Maret Didion. He started working in the foundry business at age 6 along with his brothers to help his family. He attended Seven Holy Founders Grade School and graduated from Afton, MO High School in 1951. Gene was drafted in the Army and was stationed at Fort Hood in Killeen, TX. He married Maureen Mohan on June 18, 1960. Gene left Didion and Sons Foundry in St. Louis to start North American Foundry in 1962 with his brothers John and Arthur, and he moved his family to Ft. Smith in 1963. Gene and his siblings eventually owned and operated foundries in St. Louis, MO, Corpus Christi, TX, and Junction City, KS in addition to NAFCO in Fort Smith. They produced gray-iron and ductile iron castings for the automotive industry and defense industry with customers nationwide. Gene was a longtime and current board member of First National Bank Corp, was a charter member and past President of the Manufacturers Executives Association of Arkansas, and was past board member and loyal supporter of the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce in Fort Smith. Gene also collected and restored vintage automobiles and was a licensed civilian pilot. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers, Charles Didion, Paul P. Didion Jr., and Arthur Didion. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Maureen Didion; three daughters, Janet and husband Joe Gilker of Fort Smith, Jeanne and husband Jay Stringfellow of Fort Smith, and Tricia Didion of Houston, TX; one sister, Mary Lee McKean of Kirkwood, MO; one brother, John Didion of Fort Smith; and his twelve grandchildren, Jarred, Zachary, Arden, Sheldon, Harrison, Reagan, Eileen, and Eve Gilker, and Jordan, Jane Marie, Natalie, and Evan Stringfellow. Gene is also survived by his special friend, Father Henry Mischkowiuski and his doctors at Mayo Clinic, Dr. Patton, Elaine Macomb, Dr. Buskirk, Karen and Ann. Christian Wake and visitation will be Thursday, April 24, 2014, from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM in the Parish Hall at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1301 Frank Street, Barling, AR, and Rosary will said at 6:00 PM. Funeral Mass will be 10:00 AM Friday, April 25, 2014, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 22 North 13th Street, Fort Smith, AR with burial at a later date in Howey-in-the-hills, Florida. Services are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be grandsons. Our dad had the biggest heart, the best hugs and kisses. He loved life and loved his family. He always said, “Life goes by fast, so don’t be in a hurry…….slow down and enjoy it.” We will miss our German music, our many talks on the porch swing and our trips to Florida. Memorials may be sent to: Trinity Jr. High, 1205 S. Albert Pike, Fort Smith, AR 72903, or We Care Foundation, PO Box 3431, Fort Smith, AR 72913. Online condolences may be sent to: www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.