A 1957 graduate of Deshler High School, Gene was a four sport letterman in football, basketball, baseball and track. He was a fullback in football, forward in basketball, pitcher and outfielder in baseball as well as competing in the sprint events along with the broad jump on the Tigers track team. In football he was selected All-Tri/Cities in both 1955 and 1956 as well as being chosen as team captain for Coach Howard Chappell's squad. While competing in all sports, it was baseball in which Gene excelled. He was outstanding on the Tiger baseball team lettering from his freshman through his senior season and was selected to the East-West All Star baseball team during his senior year. Speed was one of his most valuable attributes evidenced when Coach Chappell said that he was one of the fastest athletes he ever coached. Following high school he got married and went to work along with officiating football, basketball and softball for over twenty years in the Shoals.Gene was named Umpire of the Year by the ASA in 1975. Additionally he was also involved in coaching youth football, basketball and baseball in Tuscumbia.