Gene Engle passed away at Regency Retirement Village in Huntsville on Thursday, August 7, 2014, at the age of 84. Mr. Engle was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Gwendolyn Burleson Engle; his parents, F.L. and Ella Mae Avery Engle; and brothers, Nathan and Justis Engle.
He is survived by his daughters, Sandra (Gayron) Hodges of Decatur, Debra (Greg) Martin of Huntsville and Ginger (Mark) Hall of Huntsville, and by his grandchildren, Kristen Hodges of Huntsville, Katie Hodges of Nashville, Hayden Martin of Birmingham, Benjamin Hall and Samuel Hall, both of Huntsville; two sisters, Hylma Johnson of Hamilton and Lavelle (Vernon) Hipps of Florence; sister in law, Siller Engle of Florence; brothers, Billy (Maudie) Engle of Hartselle and Jimmy (Betty) Engle of Russellville and several nieces and nephews.
Gene was born in Marion County May 27, 1930. In his youth he worked throughout Illinois and Michigan in such jobs as cotton picker, hotel busboy, bowling pin setter, farm hand, dishwasher, meat packer, foundry worker and paint booth cleaner. After being called to serve in the Korean War, Gene returned home to marry Gwendolyn Burleson in 1954. He completed technical school in air conditioning and refrigeration in 1956. With much persistence, he obtained a position with Marshall Space Flight Center. A lifelong learner, Gene passed the National Engineering Exam in 1983. He worked in supervisory positions for MSFC until his retirement in 1989. He returned to work for Stone and Webster Engineering and retired in 1995. He was a devoted Christian husband, father, “Paw-Paw” and friend.
Visitation will be Sunday, August 10, 2014 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Roselawn Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral service is at 4 p.m. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery
