Eugene “Gene” Ebeling Storey passed away at the age of 91 years on Nov. 3, 2021.
Gene grew up in La Porte, Ind. He enlisted in the Navy at age 18 and proudly served his country during the Korean War on board a heavy cruiser as a hospitalman II. In 1950, he married the love of his life, Elizabeth “Joann” Clark, shortly before he was shipped overseas. Honorably discharged from the Navy, Gene and Joann moved to Portland, Ore., where daughter, Maureen, was born. But due to family illness they soon moved back to La Porte, where Gene found a job delivering milk door-to-door in the snowy, bitter cold of Michigan City, Ind.
With the promise of lucrative jobs in the nascent aerospace industry, Gene, Joann and Maureen moved to northern California. Later, the family of three moved to St. Charles, Mo., and after 18 years of marriage, the family welcomed son and little brother Eric to complete the family of four. Kansas City, Mo., became another new home where Gene worked for the Jackson County and the City of Kansas City water department. Upon retirement, Gene and Joann moved to Fredericksburg, Va.
Gene’s favorite pastimes were golfing and creating stained glass panels and lamps. With Joann, he loved singing in church choirs and later on with the Rappahannock Chorale Society in Fredericksburg. Although his memory faded over the years, Gene’s broad smile and twinkling, cerulean eyes remained bright and clear.
Gene was preceded in death by Joann, his beloved wife of 63 years. Also preceding him in death were his father (Erwin), mother (Ardelia), stepfather (Julius Middledorf), and great-niece, Madison Draves.
Surviving Gene are his two children – daughter, Maureen Storey (son-in-law Gary Weaver) and son, Eric Storey (daughter-in-law Tamra Beck Storey), and three grandchildren, Emily Robin Storey Weaver of Alexandria, Va., Mattison Storey and Caleb Storey of Dickinson, Tex. Also surviving are his “little” sister, Sandra Storey Draves, whom he adored, and brother-in-law, Richard “Dick” Draves; nephews, Stephen Draves and Scott Draves (Terresa); and great-nephews, Trevor Draves and Isaac Draves of La Porte.
Gene’s cremains will rest with Joann’s upon interment at the Columbarium in Arlington National Cemetery. A date for interment is not set yet. Pierce Funeral Home, Manassas, Va., is handling arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that a donation be made to K-9 Caring Angels in Warrenton, Va. (Programs — K-9 Caring Angels)
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