Eugene Edward Eckenrode Jr.

Eugene Edward Eckenrode, Jr, 57, of Hughesville, PA, hung up his apron and clippers and peacefully passed away surrounded by loved ones on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 in Etters, PA after a decade-plus long journey with liver and kidney disease. In recent months, he was treated like a local celebrity by the staff at Wellspan York Hospital upon his frequent visits. We are thankful for the wonderful doctors and nurses at Wellspan York Hospital and Geisinger Hospital in Danville for their compassionate care on his journey for transplant surgery. We’d especially like to thank Dr. Syed Kazi, PT Jamie Fiorenza, Dr. Michael Leser, and the nurses at York Hospital’s 5 Main, 5 South, dialysis, and paracentesis. There was a large team of family and friends who drove Gene to and from his multiple appointments per week and logged many miles with him. We’ll always be grateful to Jeanne, Lisa, Rick, Ericka, Judy, Marci, Chris, Jeremy, Mike, Kerri, Terri, Chrissy, Ken, Larry, David, Margo, and Greg. His main driver was his brother-in-law Tom who retired in the beginning of January and immediately assumed the title of honorary Wellspan Transporter (complete with an unofficial uniform t-shirt). Tom was Gene’s paracentesis buddy and spent over 5 hours at Gene’s side just about every Monday and Friday for months. We’d also like to thank his niece-in-law Marci for opening her home and heart to him with round the clock compassionate care as his personal nurse, advocate, pill enforcer, and general pain-in-his-hiney in the best possible way over the last 10 months. She was a blessing to Gene and our family.

Always one to make an entrance, Gene was born on August 12, 1967 to Eugene Sr. and Grace Eckenrode in Gettysburg, PA. Over the years, he’d be known by many nicknames- a list that they probably wouldn’t allow us to print in its entirety but includes Junior, Gene Bean, Love Bug, Cybil, Genester, The Dancing Queen, Sugarlump, Uncle Old-As-Dirt, and Uncle Yogi.

A graduate of both South Western High School and the Barber Styling Institute of Camp HIll, Gene worked as a hair stylist for many years before starting his final job in men’s hair loss treatments at Craig Goodhart and Company in Lemoyne. Through the years, a number of clients were bumped on the head by his hair dryer, some of which were unintentional.

He was an avid Cher fan with a vast collection of records, CDs, and memorabilia. His Cher collection was only outdone by his diverse collection of rooster figurines of all types and sizes. Throughout his life, he loved many fur babies and had a hard time saying no to any cat who would stop by his doorway with sad eyes on a cold winter night. He was not shy about being a picky eater but loved a good pizza and his sister Judy’s home cooking including her ham potpie. His huge heart was worn on his sleeve and he gave his love generously. We will miss his infectious sense of humor, timeless words of wisdom, and the best hugs that could leave a person both feeling his love and smelling his recognizable cologne long after a visit had ended.

Eugene is survived by his longtime partner and recent fiance David Gebhart of Hughesville and their beloved cats Baby, Gracie, Precious, Tiger, Lucy, Smokie, Cyrus; his sister Judy Renoll and brother-in-law Tom of Hanover; his brother Rick Eckenrode and sister-in-law Lisa of York; his nieces, nephews and their spouses Michael Magoo and Kerri Renoll, Chris and Marci Renoll, Jeremy and Shelbi Renoll, Caitlyn and Shane Tay, Ericka and Aaron Michaels; his great-nephews and great-nieces Cameron, Kellan, Cora, Addi, Brayden, Emma, and Brooke; his cousins Jeanne Hurley, Brenda Singer and Linda Wastler and many close friends who were like family including lifelong friends Terri, Chrissy, and Charlene.

He was preceded in death by his mother Grace Eckenrode, his father Eugene Eckenrode, Sr., his step-mother Donna Eckenrode, his Uncle Guy and Aunt Sylvia Ridenour, his Uncle Tom and Aunt Bea Eckenrode, his Uncle Cuz and Aunt Marie Myers, his cousin Linda Thompson, and his niece Megan Eckenrode.

At Gene’s request, a private remembrance in lieu of services will be held at a later date where he will be celebrated with the planting of a memorial Rising Sun Redbud Love Tree, a fabulous playlist of Cher’s greatest hits, pizza and “good food like mac and cheese… not fancy stuff.”

Memorials or donations in Gene’s memory may be made to Lycoming Animal Protection Society (LAPS), 630 Wildwood Blvd, Williamsport, PA 17701 or the Human Rights Campaign at give.hrc.org.