Lost a member this week. ScreaminZ

[Caseys71]

Very sorry to hear about Gene . My condolences to his family, will keep his wife and children in my prayers .

[danno]

RIP & GOD BLESS

[ScreaminZ]

Sorry for their loss for sure. Prayers to the loved ones left behind.
That is not a bad way to go though considering how much he loved his trucks. I wouldn't mind leaving this place in my 71 F100 with my best friend my Jack Russel, Darla, laying on the seat beside me. Cremate us together and put us in the same jar.
clint

This is Gene's wife, Jennifer. I have been reading your comments. I appreciate them all. It brings me great comfort. I feel like I "know" some of you. He mentioned things he learned and as soon as he had a problem he posted it to the forum.

Gene did tell me he wanted to be cremated and had joked about being buried in a car or truck. As tragic as it was, he did leave us in his pride and joy bump side. He also had a love of dogs, fortunate for me, they are with me to help give me comfort. I do like the image of Gene driving around heaven in his truck, with his dogs from his childhood.

Thank you!

With love,
Jennifer

[ScreaminZ]

No, no, no!!!!! He was here about 3 weekends or so ago, and he and his dad picked up the '71 I had given him. He was back here last weekend to pick it up from his Dad's and came back over to my house for a few other parts I had out back and in the attic for him...this can't be true.

IMG00246-20110618-1503 (800 x 600).jpg

IMG00247-20110618-1503 (800 x 600).jpg

Rest in peace, my friend. My deepest condolences to all of his family. Glad I got to meet him on the two occasions he was here, and his Dad, who only lives about 15 minutes or so from me. If there is anything I can do for the family, let me know.

Robert Perry
Sardis, AR

Robert,

Thank you for posting the pictures. They make me smile. I am able to see the personalized plates he had just received. At this time they are missing.

Peace,
Jennifer

[forrestbump]

Jennifer, your Peace, Strength and Composure are to be truly admired!

God be with you and Thank You so Very much for posting...

[basketcase0302]

Jennifer,

May God Bless you and your children. You will always have an extended family here at Fordification.
Please don't hesitate to ask if there's anything we could do to help.

[69rangerf100]

thats is so sad i thoughts and prayers go out to his family

[willowbilly3]

I heard about this on another forum. Is there a memorial fund here? I'll never forget how this site came to my support in a time of loss and would like to give something back.

[67mann]

I heard about this on another forum. Is there a memorial fund here? I'll never forget how this site came to my support in a time of loss and would like to give something back.

http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... =2&t=59769

[jp2005]

I'm sorry to hear that, kind of teared up alittle

[fireguywtc]

I wanted to share a couple of PM's that Gene and I shared with each other to help emphasize what a great guy he was. Again, I didn't know him very well, but I was struck about how nice of a person he was before he passed. Once I learned of the news, I felt sick knowing this happened to such a nice guy. He was truely one of a kind class act!

This message was sent to me May 18th:

So how's everything going? Haven't seen much from you these days. I'm sure that baby is keeping you very busy. My first just turned 1 a few weeks ago. It's been a wild ride! He's a wild child for sure but I enjoy every minute of it. How's your little one doing?

How about the trucks? Did that 390 ever come together? I'd love to try to have another get-together of some sort sometime this year since I wasn't able to make it to the last one. The weather's been pretty nice lately, but I'm afraid it'll be toasty before long. May have to wait till fall when the temp starts heading back down for the year. My truck's actually become my daily driver a few weeks ago, so while it's still a constant project, it's always up and running.

Cheers,
Gene

My reply sent May 19th:

Hi Gene,

I havent seen much of you on here lately either. Thanks for checking in, I have been quite busy with the new kid as well as school and working on the trucks when I get a spare minute or two. I did finish the 390 around the beginning of March and the highboy has been going strong since then. Here is the buildup thread: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=56352&p=532333&hilit=390+assembly#p532333

Right now I have it at a local shop having the AC finished so I can enjoy driving it while its hot. I like the idea of having another meet up. Last time I did it, no one really showed. We need to have a better coordinated meet and great I think. No real progress on the 67 yet, but I am out of school for a short while and this weekend is looking good. I need to get back on it while I can.

Talk to ya later, Bill

His reply to that sent May 20th:

Yeah, I've been pretty busy and haven't been posting here much. I have been lurking pretty regularly though. That child of mine keeps me very busy and now that my truck unexpectedly became my daily driver, I've been spending what little spare time I have trying to get it fixed up to where it's more pleasant to drive. I really need to start a build thread one of these days if anything just to remind me how far it's come. I'm not sure how I managed to miss that thread on your 390. It's good to hear that all finally worked out for you.

I sure wish I could have air conditioning working in my truck this summer! It's already getting pretty warm during the evening commute. Hopefully it'll get better once I get the new floorboards welded in and get the floor all insulated. Right now, there's hot engine compartment air that blows up through the gigantic rusty holes in the floor when I'm driving. Tons of fun. So that's really been my main goal this summer is to get those replaced. Between all the money and all the time this thing's taking up, I'm thinking A/C is not going to be in the budget for this summer. Maybe next year.

Hopefully we can round up a good number of folks for a get together sometime. I think the hardest part is that not many people go to that "shows & events" forum. I've been starting to put together a list of people that I see on this site that show to be from anywhere within a reasonable driving distance. Maybe when we decide to do another meet, we can start PMing those folks to get the word out a little better.

Gene

And one more sent on Jan. 7th from Gene:

So does that 390 crank look like it's going to work out? I have no idea how much it's been ground, if at all. Just curious what the machine shop was able to do with it.

Oh, and my wife had to harass me about not asking you about your new baby. Did you have a boy or girl? What's the baby's name? Do you have any other kids?

Gene

Gene, your great kindness did not go unnoticed and was greatly appreciated. Jennifer, I wish the best for you and your family and hope you find peace in this time of great tragedy.

Very sincerely, Bill

[lrjetmech]

No, no, no!!!!! He was here about 3 weekends or so ago, and he and his dad picked up the '71 I had given him. He was back here last weekend to pick it up from his Dad's and came back over to my house for a few other parts I had out back and in the attic for him...this can't be true.

IMG00246-20110618-1503 (800 x 600).jpg

IMG00247-20110618-1503 (800 x 600).jpg

Rest in peace, my friend. My deepest condolences to all of his family. Glad I got to meet him on the two occasions he was here, and his Dad, who only lives about 15 minutes or so from me. If there is anything I can do for the family, let me know.

Robert Perry
Sardis, AR

Robert,

Thank you for posting the pictures. They make me smile. I am able to see the personalized plates he had just received. At this time they are missing.

Peace,
Jennifer

It was no problem. I told everyone at work about him coming to get the old truck, and how excited I was that someone was gonna get some use out of it. I had just shook his hand and told him to call me if anything happened on the way back home right before I took that picture. I will have the picture of that moment with me for a long time...Good luck to you, and may you eventually find peace...let me know if I can do anything.

[dolinick]

Just terrible news. So very sorry for his family. May God rest his sould and ease his family's pain. I hope he's looking out the windshield factory fresh bump, full tank of gas, the rumble of a strong FE and at the start long country road

My father was killed in his bump(f100) in 1985. You never know the time or the place...

[ScreaminZ]

Bill,

Thank you for sharing. I remember when he went to meet you in Hillsboro. He really did want to plan another meeting. I love hearing him talk about Henry. He was proud to be a daddy.

I may be coming back to you guys for help in the future. Gene was also planning to restore a 1969 Mustang Grande to its original condition. I loved to hear him talk about cars and trucks, but I am not handy when it comes to that kind of thing. I really want to find some honest people to help me restore it. I want my children to grow up with the car and have it be a part of their memories. Gene remembered almost every vehicle from his childhood. The truck had originally belonged to his grandma and then his dad. His Grandma bought the Mustang new from the dealership. When Gene was 16 he took out a small bank loan and bought it from her...he even paid it off early!

Again, I appreciate all the thoughts and prayers. It does bring some comfort in this tragic time. It is still very unreal to me. I keep expecting him to walk in the door.

Thank you,
Jennifer

I wanted to share a couple of PM's that Gene and I shared with each other to help emphasize what a great guy he was. Again, I didn't know him very well, but I was struck about how nice of a person he was before he passed. Once I learned of the news, I felt sick knowing this happened to such a nice guy. He was truely one of a kind class act!

This message was sent to me May 18th:

So how's everything going? Haven't seen much from you these days. I'm sure that baby is keeping you very busy. My first just turned 1 a few weeks ago. It's been a wild ride! He's a wild child for sure but I enjoy every minute of it. How's your little one doing?

How about the trucks? Did that 390 ever come together? I'd love to try to have another get-together of some sort sometime this year since I wasn't able to make it to the last one. The weather's been pretty nice lately, but I'm afraid it'll be toasty before long. May have to wait till fall when the temp starts heading back down for the year. My truck's actually become my daily driver a few weeks ago, so while it's still a constant project, it's always up and running.

Cheers,
Gene

My reply sent May 19th:

Hi Gene,

I havent seen much of you on here lately either. Thanks for checking in, I have been quite busy with the new kid as well as school and working on the trucks when I get a spare minute or two. I did finish the 390 around the beginning of March and the highboy has been going strong since then. Here is the buildup thread: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=56352&p=532333&hilit=390+assembly#p532333

Right now I have it at a local shop having the AC finished so I can enjoy driving it while its hot. I like the idea of having another meet up. Last time I did it, no one really showed. We need to have a better coordinated meet and great I think. No real progress on the 67 yet, but I am out of school for a short while and this weekend is looking good. I need to get back on it while I can.

Talk to ya later, Bill

His reply to that sent May 20th:

Yeah, I've been pretty busy and haven't been posting here much. I have been lurking pretty regularly though. That child of mine keeps me very busy and now that my truck unexpectedly became my daily driver, I've been spending what little spare time I have trying to get it fixed up to where it's more pleasant to drive. I really need to start a build thread one of these days if anything just to remind me how far it's come. I'm not sure how I managed to miss that thread on your 390. It's good to hear that all finally worked out for you.

I sure wish I could have air conditioning working in my truck this summer! It's already getting pretty warm during the evening commute. Hopefully it'll get better once I get the new floorboards welded in and get the floor all insulated. Right now, there's hot engine compartment air that blows up through the gigantic rusty holes in the floor when I'm driving. Tons of fun. So that's really been my main goal this summer is to get those replaced. Between all the money and all the time this thing's taking up, I'm thinking A/C is not going to be in the budget for this summer. Maybe next year.

Hopefully we can round up a good number of folks for a get together sometime. I think the hardest part is that not many people go to that "shows & events" forum. I've been starting to put together a list of people that I see on this site that show to be from anywhere within a reasonable driving distance. Maybe when we decide to do another meet, we can start PMing those folks to get the word out a little better.

Gene

And one more sent on Jan. 7th from Gene:

So does that 390 crank look like it's going to work out? I have no idea how much it's been ground, if at all. Just curious what the machine shop was able to do with it.

Oh, and my wife had to harass me about not asking you about your new baby. Did you have a boy or girl? What's the baby's name? Do you have any other kids?

Gene

Gene, your great kindness did not go unnoticed and was greatly appreciated. Jennifer, I wish the best for you and your family and hope you find peace in this time of great tragedy.

Very sincerely, Bill

[72extendedcab]

Jennifer,

My condolences to you and your family. I never had the opportunity to directly meet your husband, but I have seen his posts and gained insight and a smile or two from them on more than a few occassions. Though things are rough now, I would like to offer help in the future if I am able to be of assistance as I live in the D/FW area as well. I am sure many people will offer help, please add my name to that list.