Born in Wrightsville on August 26, 1936, he was raised by a single mother and a stern grandfather. At age 17, he enlisted in the US Army and spent three years in Germany. After he returned to civilian life, he enrolled at the University of Georgia where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. After graduation, he moved to Savannah where he worked with the Corps of Engineers.
In 1971, he moved to Gainesville where he met and married Shirley Tolbert, a Gainesville native, in 1972. After working for McGill-Grogan, he started his own company, Price & Son Pipeline Construction, in the mid-1970s. He ran the company for over 20 years and was most respected in his field. According to his wife, he was happiest when he was on the heavy-duty machinery digging ditches.
Gene had many hobbies, most concerning his home and gardens. Born with a "green thumb," he enjoyed working in his gardens and took great pride in spotlighting his enormous pyracantha. When Christmas holidays began, he loved decorating his home and yard. He lined the driveway with luminaries to welcome friends and neighbors to his and Shirley's annual Christmas Open House.
He was also cherished and envied by his friends for his secret fudge recipe. He finally wrote it down before his illness, but those who tried it agreed that their fudge wasn't nearly as good as Gene's.
He loved churning strawberry ice cream with his home-grown strawberries and making pear preserves from pears from his pear tree. The apples from his apple tree (at least the ones not taken by deer and squirrels) were enjoyed both by his family and many friends.
Gene was a long-time devoted member of Lakewood Baptist Church where he was an ordained deacon.
Gene's last days were spent at Dogwood Forrest of Gainesville where his wife visited him lovingly every day. In addition to his wife, Gene is survived by three children and three grandchildren. He is also survived by his much-adored three cats - Pinkie, Goldie and Baby.
