Obituary of Gene Spores

Gene Spores passed away November 7, 2013. He was born May 22, 1926 at Mohawk, OR to Madison and Vada Spores, who preceded him in death. Also preceding him was his wife, Faye Spores; brothers: Thomas, Beldon, Jimmy; sisters: Beulah Cookston, Beverly DeSpain, & companion, Shirley Lance. He is survived by his step-daughters: Marilyn Russell and Sharon Lewis; step-sons: Gary and Glen Fitzsimmons; brothers: Allen and Darrell; 8 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, nephews, neices, cousins. Gene is a 5th generation grandson of Pioneer Jacob C. Spores, who was a wagon master of an 1847 wagon train over the Oregon Trail. Jacob settled at Coburg and operated a ferry over the McKenzie River near the I-5 Freeway Bridges. He was the third settler in the area. He attended school at Donna and Crow, OR. He served in the US Navy during World War II and was at the invasion of Leyte, Luzon in the Philippines. He was called back in 1951 to serve in the Korean War. He drove truck for Pacific Motor Trucking Co. for 26 years, retiring in 1978. He joined Oregon State Defense Force in 1977 and was Battalion Commander, then commissioned Colonel. He retired from the State Defense Force September, 1997. He belonged to the Eugene Eagles Lodge, where he was President in 1977 and 1978. He also was a member of Springfield Elks and Springfield Moose Lodges. He belonged to the American Legion, Post 83 and VFW Post 293. He liked to golf at the Eugene Eagle Golf Course. Viewing & Visitation will be held on Friday, November 15 from 12 to 1:30 at West Lawn Memorial Park, 225 Danebo, Eugene, OR 97402, followed by a Funeral at 2 p.m. A Military burial will be at Lane Memorial Gardens, 5300 West 11th Avenue, Eugene, OR 97402, following the funeral.