Eugene “Gene” Marion Wells, 72, of Huntsville, Alabama, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on January 10, 2023, after a 2-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born July 30th, 1950, to Everette and Marjorie Wells in Atlanta, Georgia. Gene graduated from East Atlanta High School and earned his Bachelors of Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech in 1972. After graduation, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force where he went on to be an Instructor Pilot in the Northrop T-38 Talon at Columbus AFB. He accrued over 1,200 hours of accident-free flight time and was awarded the Certificate of Master Instructor In Flying Training. He then attended Stanford University and received his PhD in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering in 1981.
Gene’s 40-year career as a Rocket Scientist reflected his passion for flight and space exploration. As a subject matter expert in guidance and navigation systems, Gene made contributions to many civilian and military endeavors, including NASA and the Missile Defense Agency. His final job gave him a front row view of civilian space travel, as a contractor on the Space-X and Space Launch System programs.
In 1974, Gene married the love of his life, Carol Sharpton. Gene and Carol moved from California to Huntsville, AL in 1985 and raised their family. He loved his children and left them in no doubt of his commitment to them. As “the last true family man,” his enthusiasm for fun meant that Disney World featured heavily in Wells Family vacations, making them all world travelers via EPCOT.
Over the years he embraced many hobbies, believing that if something was worth doing it was worth doing well. Gene achieved a black belt in Karate, co-invented and obtained two patents for The Remote Roundup, and became scuba certified and even dove in The Seas at Disney World. He “took up” the banjo and “entertained” family, friends, and complete strangers with his love of bluegrass. For almost 25 years, he coordinated a tutoring program for local youth through Latham Church. Of all his passions, flying was second only to his family. Gene built his own plane, a Vans RV 7-A. He customized it to carry golf clubs for Flying Golf. No golf course or family member in the southeast was out of his reach, as he planned. The plane’s tail number, N269CG, is a tribute to his family.
Gene was a faithful servant of the Lord and member of Latham Methodist Church for over 35 years. He is preceded in death by his parents, Everette and Marjorie Wells. He is survived by his wife, Carol; his children, Erica Wells, Haley Wells, and Derek Wells (Elina); his sisters, Alice Welsh (Gary) and Cydney Wells (Will Dix); niece, Kimberly Welsh; nephews, Graham Welsh (Morgan) and Lee Dix; and great-niece, Nora Welsh.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Latham Youth Ministries, PO Box 4267, Huntsville, AL 35815 or LathamChurchHSV.org/give.
The funeral service will be at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, January 12th, at Latham United Methodist Church with a visitation following from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Rev. Bob Alford and Rev. Chris Martin will be conducting the service. Interment will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 13th, at Maple Hill Cemetery, Block 41.
