Gene L McConnell of Eugene, Oregon passed away on January 4. He was born on a farm near Edgerton, Kansas and had lived in Topeka, Kansas many years before moving to Oregon. He was married to Marietta Haney in 1949 and they had 5 children together . Gene later married Carolyn Smith in Albany, Oregon in 1992.

Gene served in the Army during World War II and received medals for his service. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1957 and worked for the State of Kansas as a civil Engineer for 33 years. He was a lifetime member of the American society of Civil Engineers and belonged to the Albany post 10 American Legion. After retirement he was an avid golfer and enjoyed a great garage sale.

Gene is survived by son Melvin McConnell and his wife Pamela of Bend, Oregon; daughter Linda Hicks and her husband Calvin of Topeka, Kansas; sons Dennis McConnell and wife Lori of Eugene, Oregon and Marc McConnell of Austin, Texas; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and brother Marion McConnell of Gardner, Kansas. He was preceded in death by son Wayne in 1969; and granddaughter Jennifer Hicks in 2010.

Funeral service will be on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 10 am at AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home with a military graveside to follow at 2 pm at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland.

AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling the arrangements ( www.aasum-dufour.com ).