Elisha "Gene" Penland

HAMILTON - Elisha Gene Penland passed on in Hamilton, MT on February 24, 2015.

Gene was born December 12, 1926 in the Piney Woods of East Texas. He was the 5th of 13 children born to Bud and Vannie Penland of Leon and Matagorda County, Texas.

Gene is survived by his ever loving and tender wife, Evelyn, her sons David and Michael, daughters Carrie and Kimberly and grandchildren. He is survived by daughter Cindy Clarke, granddaughter Marcia and great grandson of Umpqua, Oregon. He is survived by sisters Annie Nell Mize of Cureo, Texas, Sue Hawthorn of Searcy, Arkansas, and brother John of Palacios Texas. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Gene is preceded in death by son Barry Penland, granddaughter Dawn and brothers Aaron B., Glenn H., Clyde, Ray Lee, James L., Ralph W., Paul M., Robert Neal and sister Sara Marie.

Gene loved cutting timber at his home, salmon fishing in the Pacific, and telling stories. He helped many neighbors and community. Some service was as volunteer fireman and 4-H advisor. He and his true stories were well loved. Gene will be sorely missed by many and by his family.

Gene retired from Lockheed Missile and Space Division in Santa Clara County, CA as a Senior Systems Test Engineer.

Gene was in the service for WWII and Korea. He is a life member in VFW and standing member in the American Legion.

During and after WWII Gene served in the Asiatic Theater, including China on mostly navy tugboats and other service vessels including tankers distributing gasoline, oil and water to the Pacific fleet and islands of the Pacific. His first ship assignment was a patrol craft, PC 124, stationed at Subic Bay which was used to cut loose mines in the Philippine area. His tour of duty included participating in Operation Cross Roads which detonated two Atomic bombs off the Bikini Atoll.

Among other service ribbons that can be pinned on his lapel is the Korea Service Medal (1 star) and the United Nations Service Medal.

Gene spent more than 20 years of his later life living alongside Trapper Creek in Ravalli County, Montana

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice at Marcus Daly Hospital at Hamilton, MT.