Ray Eugene Gittins Jr.

Gene and his family moved to Portland, Oregon in 1965. He along with his mom and siblings returned to Utah for a year before moving back to Portland permanently when Gene was in 7th grade. He graduated from Sunset HS in 1979 where he was on the wrestling team. When he was in high school he worked with his dad at Texaco in Janzen Beach. He discovered that he liked listening to music something he enjoyed throughout his life. Some artist he liked were Michael Bublé, Beach Boys, and the Beatles. He was always having everyone guess the song or the artist. He was a jokester and enjoyed making people laugh. He loved the Dallas Cowboys.

After graduating H.S., he started working as a traveling professional photographer for PCA. He was ranked as a Superstar for his region as well as the overall company. In 1980, Gene traveled to Great Falls, Montana for work where he met Marjorie at a Kmart where she was the manager in the baby department he was taking photos in.

Marjorie and Gene were married July 18 1981 at the Church of Latter Day Saints in Hillsboro, Oregon. He became a stepfather to Sabrina who was 4. They had their 1st child Marcus Gittins born at Saint Vincent in April 1982. After they moved to Helena, Montana where he worked at Neil Avenue Tire during the day and Domino’s Pizza at night. Some activities he enjoyed were coaching the Wong’s bunch, fly fishing most nights after work and entering his photography in the state fair. He won numerous awards for his photography including “Outstanding Entry”. His football team that he coached were the 86 and 87 city champions.

After living in Helena, Montana for some time, Gene and the family moved back to Portland, Oregon. They had their 2nd child Arianna Gittins born at Saint Vincent in October 1994. Gene started working in the lumber industry first at BMC West. At BMC West, he organized multiple chili cook-off competitions for HBA and received an Exceptional Achievement Award as a contributor to Sherwood’s first 6 million dollar month. He was recognized for outstanding leadership and achievement in his occupation through the Metropolitan Who’s Who registry. He went on to work at Pro-Build where he was Employee of the Quarter as well as Employee of the Year in 2012.He then worked at Home Depot Quote Center before medically retiring. Some activities he enjoyed were coaching, watching and photographing his daughter playing basketball, being a season ticket holder for the Portland Trail Blazers, going to Oregon Duck Football games, golfing and attending Rose Festival Events.

He became a Grandpa in 2009 when Sadie was born. He had two other grandchildren Bentley and Makenzie. Some activities he enjoyed doing with his grandkids were going to the beach, eating ice cream, bowling and doing holiday activities. He took Sadie and Bentley to Disneyland for the first time in 2022 to celebrate Christmas.

He enjoyed dressing up for Halloween. One year he dressed up as Donald Duck and his wife Marjorie dressed up as Daisy Duck. They went to an event at the Zoo and they had kids waiting in line to take pictures with them. He also liked making his secret family recipe hot drink and yams for Thanksgiving. At Christmas time he enjoyed decorating his house with Christmas lights and was famous for his “milk jug” light display.

He is survived by his wife Marjorie Gittins of 42 years, Son Marcus Gittins, daughter Arianna Haskett, siblings Jolene Suave, Sharee Oleson, Jay Gittins, Desiree Gittins and grandkids Sadie Gittins, Bentley Gittins, Makenzie Gittins.