Gene was born on the Fourth of July 1939 to Alma and Ralph Smith in Albion, Nebraska. He always thought the annual firework displays were to celebrate his birth. His family moved to Lincoln when he was a toddler. Gene was a four-sport letterman at Northeast High School and was inducted into the Northeast Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001. After graduation from high school in 1958, Gene served in the Marine Corps and later the reserves. He joined the Lincoln Fire Department in 1966 and worked there for over 30 years. Gene was married to his loving wife, Laura, for 56 years and they had three sons, Brett (Jennifer), Brad (Heather), and Jesse. He was also the grandfather to three grandsons, Graham, Hayden, and Ben, and one granddaughter, Everly.
Gene was an avid golfer and loved to head south every winter to escape the cold and snow in Lincoln to play a few rounds with his golf friends. He loved all sports, volunteering his time as the Athletic Director for the Firefighters Midget Football program and watching and encouraging his sons and grandson while playing football, baseball, basketball, and track. Gene was always known to break out into song, whether at the doctor’s office, sitting at a restaurant, or visiting relatives. He loved 50s and 60s music, especially story songs. Gene was also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Gene is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Laura Smith; three sons, Brett (Jennifer) Smith, Brad (Heather) Smith, Jesse Smith; sister, Donna Neumayer; grandchildren, Graham, Hayden, Ben and Everly Smith; sister-in-law, LaRae Smith; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Betty and Bill Abell; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Gene was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Norman Smith; sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Walt Johnson; and brother-in-law, Frank Neumayer.
A memorial celebration of life for Gene will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 S. 14th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68512. The family wishes memorials to the American Diabetes Association or Foundation Fighting Blindness.
