I only met Gene a few times, but I’m so glad I was able to interview him (with David Goad) for my film in August of 2006.  On that first video-shooting trip to Coalwood after I decided to try to make a documentary film about the town, I asked David to recommend some people to interview.  He introduced me to Gene and I’m so glad he did.  Gene made me (a stranger with a video camera!) feel welcome in his home.

The second time I saw Gene, he was serving food to the Minneapolis teachers with Katie Jones in the church basement at Mudhole.  We should have been serving food to them.

He was a kind, gracious man, quick to laugh, and liked by all who knew him.

He’s another piece of Coalwood that’s gone but not forgotten.

I’ll miss him.  Coalwood will miss him.

Gene and David in Gene’s favorite room with his wall of family photos on the day of the interview in August, 2006.

We’ll miss you, Gene.

Here’s a short video of Gene talking about Coalwood.

If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s the video from my “People of Coalwood” page, where Gene tells a story about working for Homer Hickam, Sr.