Gene P Chaillie

Born in St. Joseph, MO on November 13, 1925 he was the only child of Alfred P. and Daisy Moskau Chaillie. He grew up in a four-block neighborhood surrounded by his mother's family. When he was 1_5, his father died and he and his mother moved in with his maternal grandparents. Not long after graduating from Lafayette High School in 1943, he enlisted in the Navy to serve during WWII. On the New Year's Eve before he left for training, he met Jean Humphrey at a movie theater. They married on August 19, 1944 in Corpus Christi, TX and were transferred to the naval base in San Diego, CA where they spent the remainder of the war.

Back home in St. Joseph after the war, they became the parents of daughters Suzanne and René. Soon thereafter, Gene took a job with the FAA as a communications specialist serving small airports throughout the Midwest. This resulted in many moves which is how they found themselves in Rock Springs, WY in 1952 when they welcomed their only son, Mark.

Their last move in 1954 brought them to Phoenix. Gene found a position as a systems engineer with Motorola and remained with the company for over 30 years until his retirement in 1989.

Gene was a hardworking, smart, confident man with a ready smile and a great laugh. He had a strong faith and a defined moral compass. He was committed to his family and friends and his love was constant. He did not believe in regrets, didn't suffer fools, taught his children to be careful with money and to believe in themselves. "Do the best you can, which is more than you think it is."

He was an active and enthusiastic member of Toastmasters International for years. Playing tennis, fishing and retreating to the mountains were special joys. He and Jean spent many weekends camping on the beach at Rocky Point, Mexico.

His beloved Jean died in 1988 from brain cancer. He had been her loving caretaker throughout her illness.

Upon retirement in 1989, Gene realized that there was still life to be lived so he began going to senior dances where he met the second love of his life, Christine. Married in 1992, they enjoyed travel, dancing and just being with each other. Neither expected they would be lucky enough to have 28 years together. Christine was his loving, stalwart partner and caregiver as the years began to add up for Gene.

He is survived by his wife Christine, his three children Suzanne, René and Mark as well as three grandchildren - Regene, Renée and Nicholas and four great-grandchildren Sami, Zoe, Ella Jean and Isabella.