Julian
Its been a little over five months now since my best friend has gone to be with the Lord. I decided to share a few fun facts about Gene that you may or may not know. Gene loved Movies. Here’s a list of a few of his classic favorites. Lawrence of Arabia, The God Father, Dances with Wolves, Ben Hur, Deliverance and many many more. Here’s a few movies that might supersize you, Star Gate, The Hunger Games and the Wizard of Oz. Gene watched some of these movies so many times that he knew many of the lines and used them regularly. There’s no telling how many times he told me, “Jules, you don’t know nothin!” (Deliverance) and I knew when he made dumb mistake because he’d start humming or singing the scarecrows “If I only had a brain” (The Wizard of Oz). Gene loved to laugh, he really appreciated a good joke. Gene was a Godly man but had a great sense of humor and loved a good joke even if it bordered on the raunchy side. Especially one told by his long time best friend Leo Childers. Gene had a great voice and could really hold a note and loved to sing in baritone and bass because he could. He had a great ear. If you were even slightly off, late or early or flat he would cringe but appreciated the attempt. Gene played the guitar well but if he didn’t know the cord he’d use another one to fit. Gene was tolerant to no end! He tolerated my lousy piano playing but he never ever ever complained, though he did often insist I take lessons and said he was willing to pay (I guess that was his way complaining). Gene loved good food, especially a big juicy stake medium rare with Ketchup. But he ate most anything and REALLY loved food from other cultures, Italian, Cuban, Middle Eastern, Indian, East African, Chinese, Soul food, Jamaican, Guyanese, Peruvian, Argentinian and Trinidadian and that’s truly just to name a few. He never put spoon of food in his mouth without thanking the Lord for the meal first and he didn’t care where he was or who was listening. He also took advantage of that time to pray for and personally forgive ALL of his enemies and that they might come to know the Lord. Gene loved people. He saw the good in all people and had many friends be they, Black, White, Hispanic, Israeli or Arab. Gene talked to and listed to anyone. Especially, if he thought he could help in any way. Gene lent money to people that I’m sure he knew would not pay him back but he did it anyway. Oddly, he refused to give money to panhandlers. Recently, Gene and I had been struggling to keep our business open, Southern Diabetic Supply. But even through the hardship he found ways of helping others. Gene was so much more. He’d done so much more. He knew so much more. He helped so much more. He gave so much more, but I must stop here because if I continued this story, it would easily turn into a book.I miss you my dear friend, Julian