Eugene Holt Sandlin was born on December 26th 1922. Being born the day after Christmas, he was fond of joking that after his birth, his mother Minnie never believed in Santa Clause again. Gene loved to joke around and he and his older brother, Bob and the younger twins Larry and Louise, waged merry mayhem in depression-era Wortham Bend, Bosqueville, and Gholson areas of Texas. Born into a share cropping family led by his father Virgil, Gene knew long days, hard work and developed a deep appreciation for the land and farming. Although challenging at times, he had a happy childhood. However, in 1940 he left Texas for California in hopes of a better job/life and worked for two years at Lockheed.
With the outbreak of the war, Gene returned to Texas and enlisted in the Marine Corps in June of 1942. Assigned to the 2nd Marine Division as a small arms mechanic, he saw extensive action in the Pacific Island hopping campaign. Specifically, he participated in the capture and occupation of the islands of Guadalcanal, Tarawa atoll, the island of Saipan and island of Tinian from October of 1942 until January of 1945. While home on leave, Gene married the love of his life, Edna Hopkins on January 19th, 1945. Gene was discharged from the Marine Corps in September of 1945 and returned to Waco, Texas by hitching a ride on a torpedo bomber. After several adventures and delays, he finally arrived in Waco the day before his first son Michael Eugene was born.
Gene went to 4C Business College in Waco and got a job working for the Air Force at James Connally AFB in 1949, the same year Gene's second son, Patrick Hollis, joined the growing family. After several years of steady promotions, Gene and Edna had an opportunity for another adventure and of course they couldn't resist. So, on November 17, 1955 the family set off by car on a 4,644 mile trip destined for Elmendorf AFB outside of Anchorage, Alaska. The final seven days and 1,318 miles of their adventure were on the Alaskan/Canadian (ALCAN) Highway. During that time of year and at that latitude, Gene and his family had only four hours of twilight while on the ALCAN. The rest of the days were spent in darkness.
After three and a half years in Alaska, they had many more adventures and even more new friends in what became, while they were there, the country's 49th state. But, more importantly, their daughter Kathleen arrived in 1957. In 1959, Gene and Edna retraced their steps back to Texas but, this time their travels took them, for a short time, to Laredo AFB. It was here that their fourth and final child, Noel Benjamin joined the family.
Later in 1959 Gene and Edna took their family up to Amarillo where they spent six years at Amarillo AFB before moving to the San Antonio area where they both served at Randolph AFB. They finally settled (for a time) on the Guadalupe River and throughout the 1970's they took great joy in hosting family and friends for water skiing, fish fries and gravy and biscuits.
Gene loved to play golf but, as he was fond of saying, "Golf did not like him." Even so, Gene regularly "schooled" his sons at golf. Perhaps this says more about the son's game than their father's. It's difficult to capture the essence of what the game of golf meant to Gene. He undoubtedly loved it and spent much of his free time playing it but, to his son's, some of the most vivid and fond memories of their father are with a golf club in his hands.
It was along the Guadalupe River in 1980 that Gene retired from federal service. Just a few months later, Edna joined him in retirement - both with 32 years of service. Later that same year, Gene and Edna moved to Washington State ostensibly to escape the Texas heat but, we knew they were looking for another adventure. During their years in the Seattle area, Gene and Edna lived in Bothell, Bellevue, Whidbey Island and Port Angeles. The family joke was that they were seeing the great northwest one house at a time.
Gene and Edna returned to Texas in 1995 and set up house for a time in West, then Waco and finally Hewitt before moving to Austin in November of 2008. Gene peacefully shuffled off this mortal coil on February 15, 2014. However, we just like to think he's off on another adventure, or perhaps playing golf with Jim and Glenn.
Gene was a lifetime member of the Marine Corps League and the A and A Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. He was also a member of the Grand Lodge of Texas and Port Angeles, WA. In addition, he was a Karem Shriner.
Gene is survived by his wife, four children, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Gene also had a special place in the hearts of his many sons and daughters-in-law.
With the outbreak of the war, Gene returned to Texas and enlisted in the Marine Corps in June of 1942. Assigned to the 2nd Marine Division as a small arms mechanic, he saw extensive action in the Pacific Island hopping campaign. Specifically, he participated in the capture and occupation of the islands of Guadalcanal, Tarawa atoll, the island of Saipan and island of Tinian from October of 1942 until January of 1945. While home on leave, Gene married the love of his life, Edna Hopkins on January 19th, 1945. Gene was discharged from the Marine Corps in September of 1945 and returned to Waco, Texas by hitching a ride on a torpedo bomber. After several adventures and delays, he finally arrived in Waco the day before his first son Michael Eugene was born.
Gene went to 4C Business College in Waco and got a job working for the Air Force at James Connally AFB in 1949, the same year Gene's second son, Patrick Hollis, joined the growing family. After several years of steady promotions, Gene and Edna had an opportunity for another adventure and of course they couldn't resist. So, on November 17, 1955 the family set off by car on a 4,644 mile trip destined for Elmendorf AFB outside of Anchorage, Alaska. The final seven days and 1,318 miles of their adventure were on the Alaskan/Canadian (ALCAN) Highway. During that time of year and at that latitude, Gene and his family had only four hours of twilight while on the ALCAN. The rest of the days were spent in darkness.
After three and a half years in Alaska, they had many more adventures and even more new friends in what became, while they were there, the country's 49th state. But, more importantly, their daughter Kathleen arrived in 1957. In 1959, Gene and Edna retraced their steps back to Texas but, this time their travels took them, for a short time, to Laredo AFB. It was here that their fourth and final child, Noel Benjamin joined the family.
Later in 1959 Gene and Edna took their family up to Amarillo where they spent six years at Amarillo AFB before moving to the San Antonio area where they both served at Randolph AFB. They finally settled (for a time) on the Guadalupe River and throughout the 1970's they took great joy in hosting family and friends for water skiing, fish fries and gravy and biscuits.
Gene loved to play golf but, as he was fond of saying, "Golf did not like him." Even so, Gene regularly "schooled" his sons at golf. Perhaps this says more about the son's game than their father's. It's difficult to capture the essence of what the game of golf meant to Gene. He undoubtedly loved it and spent much of his free time playing it but, to his son's, some of the most vivid and fond memories of their father are with a golf club in his hands.
It was along the Guadalupe River in 1980 that Gene retired from federal service. Just a few months later, Edna joined him in retirement - both with 32 years of service. Later that same year, Gene and Edna moved to Washington State ostensibly to escape the Texas heat but, we knew they were looking for another adventure. During their years in the Seattle area, Gene and Edna lived in Bothell, Bellevue, Whidbey Island and Port Angeles. The family joke was that they were seeing the great northwest one house at a time.
Gene and Edna returned to Texas in 1995 and set up house for a time in West, then Waco and finally Hewitt before moving to Austin in November of 2008. Gene peacefully shuffled off this mortal coil on February 15, 2014. However, we just like to think he's off on another adventure, or perhaps playing golf with Jim and Glenn.
Gene was a lifetime member of the Marine Corps League and the A and A Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. He was also a member of the Grand Lodge of Texas and Port Angeles, WA. In addition, he was a Karem Shriner.
Gene is survived by his wife, four children, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Gene also had a special place in the hearts of his many sons and daughters-in-law.
Eugene Holt Sandlin was born on December 26th 1922. Being born the day after Christmas, he was fond of joking that after his birth, his mother Minnie never believed in Santa Clause again. Gene loved to joke around and he and his older brother, Bob and the younger twins Larry and Louise, waged merry mayhem in depression-era Wortham Bend, Bosqueville, and Gholson areas of Texas. Born into a share cropping family led by his father Virgil, Gene knew long days, hard work and developed a deep appreciation for the land and farming. Although challenging at times, he had a happy childhood. However, in 1940 he left Texas for California in hopes of a better job/life and worked for two years at Lockheed.
With the outbreak of the war, Gene returned to Texas and enlisted in the Marine Corps in June of 1942. Assigned to the 2nd Marine Division as a small arms mechanic, he saw extensive action in the Pacific Island hopping campaign. Specifically, he participated in the capture and occupation of the islands of Guadalcanal, Tarawa atoll, the island of Saipan and island of Tinian from October of 1942 until January of 1945. While home on leave, Gene married the love of his life, Edna Hopkins on January 19th, 1945. Gene was discharged from the Marine Corps in September of 1945 and returned to Waco, Texas by hitching a ride on a torpedo bomber. After several adventures and delays, he finally arrived in Waco the day before his first son Michael Eugene was born.
Gene went to 4C Business College in Waco and got a job working for the Air Force at James Connally AFB in 1949, the same year Gene's second son, Patrick Hollis, joined the growing family. After several years of steady promotions, Gene and Edna had an opportunity for another adventure and of course they couldn't resist. So, on November 17, 1955 the family set off by car on a 4,644 mile trip destined for Elmendorf AFB outside of Anchorage, Alaska. The final seven days and 1,318 miles of their adventure were on the Alaskan/Canadian (ALCAN) Highway. During that time of year and at that latitude, Gene and his family had only four hours of twilight while on the ALCAN. The rest of the days were spent in darkness.
After three and a half years in Alaska, they had many more adventures and even more new friends in what became, while they were there, the country's 49th state. But, more importantly, their daughter Kathleen arrived in 1957. In 1959, Gene and Edna retraced their steps back to Texas but, this time their travels took them, for a short time, to Laredo AFB. It was here that their fourth and final child, Noel Benjamin joined the family.
Later in 1959 Gene and Edna took their family up to Amarillo where they spent six years at Amarillo AFB before moving to the San Antonio area where they both served at Randolph AFB. They finally settled (for a time) on the Guadalupe River and throughout the 1970's they took great joy in hosting family and friends for water skiing, fish fries and gravy and biscuits.
Gene loved to play golf but, as he was fond of saying, "Golf did not like him." Even so, Gene regularly "schooled" his sons at golf. Perhaps this says more about the son's game than their father's. It's difficult to capture the essence of what the game of golf meant to Gene. He undoubtedly loved it and spent much of his free time playing it but, to his son's, some of the most vivid and fond memories of their father are with a golf club in his hands.
It was along the Guadalupe River in 1980 that Gene retired from federal service. Just a few months later, Edna joined him in retirement - both with 32 years of service. Later that same year, Gene and Edna moved to Washington State ostensibly to escape the Texas heat but, we knew they were looking for another adventure. During their years in the Seattle area, Gene and Edna lived in Bothell, Bellevue, Whidbey Island and Port Angeles. The family joke was that they were seeing the great northwest one house at a time.
Gene and Edna returned to Texas in 1995 and set up house for a time in West, then Waco and finally Hewitt before moving to Austin in November of 2008. Gene peacefully shuffled off this mortal coil on February 15, 2014. However, we just like to think he's off on another adventure, or perhaps playing golf with Jim and Glenn.
Gene was a lifetime member of the Marine Corps League and the A and A Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. He was also a member of the Grand Lodge of Texas and Port Angeles, WA. In addition, he was a Karem Shriner.
Gene is survived by his wife, four children, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Gene also had a special place in the hearts of his many sons and daughters-in-law.
With the outbreak of the war, Gene returned to Texas and enlisted in the Marine Corps in June of 1942. Assigned to the 2nd Marine Division as a small arms mechanic, he saw extensive action in the Pacific Island hopping campaign. Specifically, he participated in the capture and occupation of the islands of Guadalcanal, Tarawa atoll, the island of Saipan and island of Tinian from October of 1942 until January of 1945. While home on leave, Gene married the love of his life, Edna Hopkins on January 19th, 1945. Gene was discharged from the Marine Corps in September of 1945 and returned to Waco, Texas by hitching a ride on a torpedo bomber. After several adventures and delays, he finally arrived in Waco the day before his first son Michael Eugene was born.
Gene went to 4C Business College in Waco and got a job working for the Air Force at James Connally AFB in 1949, the same year Gene's second son, Patrick Hollis, joined the growing family. After several years of steady promotions, Gene and Edna had an opportunity for another adventure and of course they couldn't resist. So, on November 17, 1955 the family set off by car on a 4,644 mile trip destined for Elmendorf AFB outside of Anchorage, Alaska. The final seven days and 1,318 miles of their adventure were on the Alaskan/Canadian (ALCAN) Highway. During that time of year and at that latitude, Gene and his family had only four hours of twilight while on the ALCAN. The rest of the days were spent in darkness.
After three and a half years in Alaska, they had many more adventures and even more new friends in what became, while they were there, the country's 49th state. But, more importantly, their daughter Kathleen arrived in 1957. In 1959, Gene and Edna retraced their steps back to Texas but, this time their travels took them, for a short time, to Laredo AFB. It was here that their fourth and final child, Noel Benjamin joined the family.
Later in 1959 Gene and Edna took their family up to Amarillo where they spent six years at Amarillo AFB before moving to the San Antonio area where they both served at Randolph AFB. They finally settled (for a time) on the Guadalupe River and throughout the 1970's they took great joy in hosting family and friends for water skiing, fish fries and gravy and biscuits.
Gene loved to play golf but, as he was fond of saying, "Golf did not like him." Even so, Gene regularly "schooled" his sons at golf. Perhaps this says more about the son's game than their father's. It's difficult to capture the essence of what the game of golf meant to Gene. He undoubtedly loved it and spent much of his free time playing it but, to his son's, some of the most vivid and fond memories of their father are with a golf club in his hands.
It was along the Guadalupe River in 1980 that Gene retired from federal service. Just a few months later, Edna joined him in retirement - both with 32 years of service. Later that same year, Gene and Edna moved to Washington State ostensibly to escape the Texas heat but, we knew they were looking for another adventure. During their years in the Seattle area, Gene and Edna lived in Bothell, Bellevue, Whidbey Island and Port Angeles. The family joke was that they were seeing the great northwest one house at a time.
Gene and Edna returned to Texas in 1995 and set up house for a time in West, then Waco and finally Hewitt before moving to Austin in November of 2008. Gene peacefully shuffled off this mortal coil on February 15, 2014. However, we just like to think he's off on another adventure, or perhaps playing golf with Jim and Glenn.
Gene was a lifetime member of the Marine Corps League and the A and A Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. He was also a member of the Grand Lodge of Texas and Port Angeles, WA. In addition, he was a Karem Shriner.
Gene is survived by his wife, four children, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Gene also had a special place in the hearts of his many sons and daughters-in-law.
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