Eugene Perry Henkel (Grandpa)'s Obituary
Eugene passed away at the age of 79 the morning of June 11, 2018 at home with his loving family.
Eugene was known as Gene but most called him GRANDPA whether it was family, friends or customers.
Gene was proceeded in death by his loving parents, Henry Henkel Sr. and Catherine Henkel and brother Henry Henkel Jr. Gene is survived by his wife, Mary (Reed), three children, his daughter Kimberlee (George Moody), his son Eugene II (Diana), his daughter, Neshell (Lyle Chabot). Seven grandchildren (Geoffrey, Eugene III, Shar, Travis, Jacob, Mary and Clara), Honorary grandson Chase and five great grand-children (Kadence, Sienna, James, Banx and Riley). Gene’s sister, Cathie Graber. Numerous nieces and nephews.
Gene and Mary would have been married 59 years on June 12th. They met when they were 15 years old. He was a Fern Hill boy, who met his North End girl the summer of 1954 before ninth grade. They went steady for four years and were engaged for one year before they were married in 1959.
Gene was born in Tacoma. He resided on the land he grew up on in the Fern Hill area. He went to Fern Hill, Stewart Junior HS and graduated from Lincoln HS in 1958.
At five years old, Gene sold newspapers at Ft. Lewis to the soldiers coming home from WWII. He did this for many years to help support his family. During Gene’s sophomore summer of high school, he joined the Naval Reserves and went to basic training under the delayed entry program. Four days after his high school graduation, he left for a two year active duty enlistment. He was stationed on the USS Windom Bay and then later on the USS Missouri. He traveled to a lot of places during his enlistment and often said one of his favorites was Japan. In 1960, he took a three day stocking job at Rhodes Department Store downtown Tacoma that turned into a two year job in which he had become a buyer in the men’s department. Gene was hired with the Tacoma Police Department on June 11, 1962 and retired early as a Sergeant in 1983.
During his time with the Tacoma Police Department, Gene rode motorcycles for five years and worked vice, narcotics and organized crime for eight years. While Gene was on the police department, he purchased a ranch in Eastern Washington and moved his parents on it in the 70’s and started a small cattle and hay business. Gene has long since sold the ranch but his small hay business has grown to be one of the top leading wholesale/retailing in the state. EPH Hay is a family business located in the Graham/Eatonville area.
Gene loved to travel, especially with family. He loved road trips and cruises. He loved to hunt, bowl, play chess and baseball. He enjoyed reading and had a passion for history and politics. Gene had an amazing work ethic in which has been instilled in his family. Gene was a mentor to many and was kind and thoughtful. Gene smiled with his eyes, had a sense of humor, and loved to tease. He had patience like no other. Above all, he loved his family. Gene leaves a beautiful legacy. He will be missed.
A memorial service will be held, Friday, June 29th, at 2pm at Mountain View in the Valley Chapel with a graveside service and reception to follow.
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