Gene Livesay, 83, of Lexington, left this world to go to Heaven on July 29, 2008.

He was in a skilled nursing facility in Newport Beach, CA, and died after a short illness.

He was born and raised in Hinton, WV, and a member of High Bridge Presbyterian of Natural Bridge, VA.

Surviving family: son, John Livesay of Los Angeles; daughters, Mrs. Elizabeth Fry of Costa Mesa, CA, and Mrs. Barbara Fenley of Huntington Beach, CA; sister, Thelma Gingerich of Chula Vista, CA; his ex-wife, Patricia of IL; two stepsons, Mr. Bobby Shields and Mr. Eddie Shields; six nephews and three nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mary (Morrison Shields) of 18-1/2 years; his sister, Mary Unbahan and brother Earl Livesay; and two grandsons, Jonathan and David.

He attended George Town University after high school, then joined the Navy in 1943 and served as a gunner and radar operator in a Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bomber. After eight months of service in the torpedo squadron aboard the Petrof Bay, he and his unit would receive the Presidential Unit Citation medal for their crucial participation in the largest naval battle in history, the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He was also awarded with his comrades the Distinguished Flying Cross medal. After returning home from the Navy in 1945 to Virginia, he attended Phillips Business College for a business degree. Later in his career he was a carpenter of homes and classic boats. He loved carpentry work better than any other profession.

He wed in 1952 and moved from Virginia to Illinois from 1953-1984. He returned in 1984 to his beloved childhood town, Lexington, VA. He remarried in 1989.

He served as an Elder in his church and a member and board member on a variety of organizations including: VFW, Moose Club, Natural Bridge Ruritan Club, and the Farm Bureau. Gene also volunteered after retirement at the Lexington VisitorŐs Center, a volunteer for the Rockbridge County Census and co-founder of the Glasgow Food Pantry where he served others in need for many years.

He enjoyed time with his family and friends, crossword puzzles, board games, was a history buff and enjoyed making gifts for people with his talent: ie, birdhouses, clocks, plant stands, tables, checker sets and more. He was an avid Redskins and Giants fan.

His temporary move to California in January, 2008 for health reasons gave his children extra time to be with him and enjoy many fun activities.

Services held in California were private. His children and all who knew him would describe him as a southern gentleman through and through, always kind and always willing to help others. He said his greatest contribution would be the ones he would leave behind.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Natural Bridge/Glasgow Food Pantry at P. O. Box 374, Natural Bridge Station, VA 24579.