He was born the oldest of four children on September 28, 1927 to Fred Arthur and Gertrude Pearl (Alps) Mack. He grew up in Lyons, CO and then served his country. First, in the Merchant Marines and then as a Tank Commander in the US Army.
On the steps of Old Stone Church, Lyons CO, on Easter of 1957, Gene met his beloved wife, Joanne (Mauch). They were wed on June 14, 1959.
Gene drove long haul trucks before going to Grinnell College. After graduating, he went to Yale Divinity School to become an United Church of Christ minister in 1963. Gene served Churches in Colorado at Eaton, Evans, Collbran, and Longmont. He helped establish Aims Community College, Weld Food Bank and several Head Start programs. He loved to fish, woodworking, and playing with his grandkids, Robert, Montana, and Kimber.
Gene is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joanne; his sister Joan (Don); his daughters Lisa (Ed) and Sheila (Ethan); his sons Kevin (Judy) and Scott (Stacy); as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Gerald and Allen, and his nephew Joel.
