April 10, 2013
Eugene Austin Lovejoy was born Nov. 3, 1926, to Cecil and Dorothy Lovejoy in Omak.
Gene was a well-respected man known to be honest, sincere and to have true compassion for family, friends and his country, the United States of America.
He was a dedicated family man, totally committed to providing for his family and doing whatever necessary to make certain they had a place they could call home. If you ever encountered a living encyclopedia, Gene was as close as a person could be. He had a personal library that overcrowded the house.
His impeccable memory of all his readings and life experiences would captivate your attention for hours on end. Gene had a great love for the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping with family, gardening and traveling.
Gene served in the U.S. Army from April 1946 through April 1947. He served with the paratroopers and the cavalry in Europe. Upon his return from the Army, he met and married Maxine Eiffert on Dec. 25, 1948.
After working various jobs, he began his career with the U.S. Forest Service. He manned fire lookouts and was trail and lookout manager. In 1963, the family moved to Cle Elum, where he began his job as fire management officer for the Forest Service.
In 1968, the family moved to Twisp, where Gene worked for Clyde Scott, packing into the backcountry. He loved the Pasayten Wilderness and other areas of the Northwest.
Upon being hired with Burlington Northern Railroad, Gene and family moved to Omak, where Gene and Maxine lived until their deaths.
Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine; grandson, Levi Lovejoy; two sisters, Peggy and Irene; two brothers, Ted and Clyde; his mother, Dorothy Fiskdol; and his father, Cecil Lovejoy.
He is survived by his children, Lanetta (Barry) Endrice, Stephen (Ronda) Lovejoy, Sandra (Rory) Russell, Sam (Norma) Lovejoy, and Susan (Greg) Goldner; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Private services for immediate family only.
