Richard Eugene "Gene" Shores, Sr. of Vernon passed away Sunday January 31, 2010. Gene was a veteran of World War II serving in the European Theater. He trained at Camp Blanding, Florida and Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He advanced to the rank of Staff Sergeant. His disembarkment to Europe was from Boston and embarkment was in LeHarve, France as the Allies of the 20th Armored Division fought through France, Belgium, and into Germany. In Germany, his division liberated the Nazi Concentration Camp of Dachau on April 29, 1945. After the war, he returned to Washington County and did construction work and farmed. In the 1950's he began working for the Florida Forestry Service. Health issues resulting from this career caused his retirement in the 1970's. His rural farm upbringing and love of farming remained with him throughout his life. He was known in his community for his watermelons, pumpkins, okra, corn and peas. Born July 18, 1922 in the Hard Labor Creek Community to William Henry and Mary Elizabeth Sellers Shores, he was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Myra Jean Shores, his brothers; Isaac, Joe, Ira, and Billy Shores, and his sister Becky Blue. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Pauline Russ Cook-Shores of Vernon; his sons, Richard Eugene (Ricky) Shores, Jr. and wife Lila, and Gregory Shores; daughters, Sue Broom and husband Paul, Faye Cope and husband Lynn of Chipley, Pam Cates and husband Jack of Vernon, Amy Pelham and husband Wesley of Bainbridge, Georgia; stepsons, George Baragona and wife Gloria of Tallahassee and Tommy Cook and wife Terri of Vernon; brother, Daniel Shores and wife Mary Frances of Parker; sisters, Thelma Sapp of Callaway, Frances Fussell and husband Julius of Chipley, and Helen Pippin of Chipley; and sister-in-law, Cathren Shores Vickery and her husband Donald Ray of Chipley. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Michael Broom and wife Kristi, Lynn Cope, Jr. and wife Charlotte, Leigh Cope and wife Michele, Nicole Seley and husband Allen, Allison Brock, Derrick Shores, Brande Suttles and husband Ray, Sara Beth Pelham, and Hunter Pelham; step grandchildren, Phillip Cates, Jason Cates, Michelle Baragona-Williams and husband Michael, Kimberly Bigelow and husband Joe. His great-grandchildren are: Emily Broom, Cameron Cope, Addie Cope, Sy Seley, Olivia Cotton, and Mikayla Cotton; step great-grandchildren, Jack Cates, Ashlee Cates, Anna Cates, Justin Williams, Kaylie Williams, Courtney Warren, and Chris Warren. The family will meet friends and relatives at Brown Funeral Home, Brickyard Road Chapel in Chipley, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Monday, February 1. Funeral services will be at Eastside Baptist Church, in Vernon, on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010. Interment will follow at Hard Labor Cemetery at Washington Church on Hard Labor Road.