Eugene W. Wilkinson

His early years were spent in Pocatello, Idaho. He sold newspapers on the streets in Pocatello as a youth. In 1924, the family moved by train trip to the Portland area and settled in the Errol Heights neighborhood. Gene was amazed on the trip to see so many trees – he wondered where the people found space to live.

Gene attended school through his sophomore year and then quit to find work to help his family. He shagged golf balls and eventually caddied at Waverly County Club. One time, he caddied for Bobby Jones, a famous golfer of the time.

Gene entered the Coast Guard when World War II began and spent the majority of his service on the Oregon Coast around the Garibaldi area. He married Cora Turnbull on January 28, 1943 after dating her for only 4 months. They have been married 71 years. After the War, Gene became a mail carrier and retired from that job after 32 years of service.

They built their own home up on Mt. Scott in 1949 across from the radio station and have lived there ever since.

Although they were told they could not have children, seven years into their marriage they had a baby girl, Beth, in 1950. Then they had two more girls, Sue and Jane, in February and December of 1952. With all of those women in his life, he seldom got a word in edgewise! Gene was a wonderful husband and father, and enjoyed being a grandfather and great grandfather. He loved puns and was fun to be with. He was always honest and fair and loved his family very much.

He died on October 25, 2014 in his own home, surrounded by his family.