Gene Eugene Sooter, 93, of Springfield, MO, joined his Heavenly Father on May 7, 2012. He was born July 22, 1918 in Battlefield, MO to Edward C. and N. Mae Sooter. At an early age, he and his family moved to Springfield. He was preceded in death by his parents and Rowena, his beloved wife of 63 years.
At a young age, Gene developed a love of reading and of baseball which continued throughout his life. After graduating from Drury College he worked at the U.S. Cartridge Co., in St. Louis, MO, then served 27 months in the U.S. Navy. He returned to Springfield where he married Rowena Strode. He joined the family business at the Springfield Dry Cleaners which operated until the early 60s when his parents retired.
In 1970, Gene joined Mutual of Omaha, and launched a long and successful career in insurance. He worked with many companies and loved the insurance business, founding Breckenridge Insurance Inc. with Dennis Breckenridge with whom he shared a lifelong friendship. He reluctantly retired at the age of 85. During this period he was also active in Kiwanis, serving as President of the Ozark Empire Kiwanis, and was active in local politics, serving as President of the Pachyderm Club, then as Chairman of the Greene County Republicans.
Gene is survived by three daughters, Connie Foster and husband Ron of Springfield, Jane Weller, DVM, and husband Wendell of Nelson, MO, and Jeanie Reynolds of Springfield; seven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Jean Bennett.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 10, 2012 in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home officiated by The Reverend Frank Sharp followed by burial in Hazelwood Cemetery. Published in the News-Leader on May 9, 2012.
At a young age, Gene developed a love of reading and of baseball which continued throughout his life. After graduating from Drury College he worked at the U.S. Cartridge Co., in St. Louis, MO, then served 27 months in the U.S. Navy. He returned to Springfield where he married Rowena Strode. He joined the family business at the Springfield Dry Cleaners which operated until the early 60s when his parents retired.
In 1970, Gene joined Mutual of Omaha, and launched a long and successful career in insurance. He worked with many companies and loved the insurance business, founding Breckenridge Insurance Inc. with Dennis Breckenridge with whom he shared a lifelong friendship. He reluctantly retired at the age of 85. During this period he was also active in Kiwanis, serving as President of the Ozark Empire Kiwanis, and was active in local politics, serving as President of the Pachyderm Club, then as Chairman of the Greene County Republicans.
Gene is survived by three daughters, Connie Foster and husband Ron of Springfield, Jane Weller, DVM, and husband Wendell of Nelson, MO, and Jeanie Reynolds of Springfield; seven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Jean Bennett.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 10, 2012 in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home officiated by The Reverend Frank Sharp followed by burial in Hazelwood Cemetery. Published in the News-Leader on May 9, 2012.
Gene Eugene Sooter, 93, of Springfield, MO, joined his Heavenly Father on May 7, 2012. He was born July 22, 1918 in Battlefield, MO to Edward C. and N. Mae Sooter. At an early age, he and his family moved to Springfield. He was preceded in death by his parents and Rowena, his beloved wife of 63 years.
At a young age, Gene developed a love of reading and of baseball which continued throughout his life. After graduating from Drury College he worked at the U.S. Cartridge Co., in St. Louis, MO, then served 27 months in the U.S. Navy. He returned to Springfield where he married Rowena Strode. He joined the family business at the Springfield Dry Cleaners which operated until the early 60s when his parents retired.
In 1970, Gene joined Mutual of Omaha, and launched a long and successful career in insurance. He worked with many companies and loved the insurance business, founding Breckenridge Insurance Inc. with Dennis Breckenridge with whom he shared a lifelong friendship. He reluctantly retired at the age of 85. During this period he was also active in Kiwanis, serving as President of the Ozark Empire Kiwanis, and was active in local politics, serving as President of the Pachyderm Club, then as Chairman of the Greene County Republicans.
Gene is survived by three daughters, Connie Foster and husband Ron of Springfield, Jane Weller, DVM, and husband Wendell of Nelson, MO, and Jeanie Reynolds of Springfield; seven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Jean Bennett.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 10, 2012 in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home officiated by The Reverend Frank Sharp followed by burial in Hazelwood Cemetery. Published in the News-Leader on May 9, 2012.
At a young age, Gene developed a love of reading and of baseball which continued throughout his life. After graduating from Drury College he worked at the U.S. Cartridge Co., in St. Louis, MO, then served 27 months in the U.S. Navy. He returned to Springfield where he married Rowena Strode. He joined the family business at the Springfield Dry Cleaners which operated until the early 60s when his parents retired.
In 1970, Gene joined Mutual of Omaha, and launched a long and successful career in insurance. He worked with many companies and loved the insurance business, founding Breckenridge Insurance Inc. with Dennis Breckenridge with whom he shared a lifelong friendship. He reluctantly retired at the age of 85. During this period he was also active in Kiwanis, serving as President of the Ozark Empire Kiwanis, and was active in local politics, serving as President of the Pachyderm Club, then as Chairman of the Greene County Republicans.
Gene is survived by three daughters, Connie Foster and husband Ron of Springfield, Jane Weller, DVM, and husband Wendell of Nelson, MO, and Jeanie Reynolds of Springfield; seven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Jean Bennett.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 10, 2012 in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home officiated by The Reverend Frank Sharp followed by burial in Hazelwood Cemetery. Published in the News-Leader on May 9, 2012.
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