Eugene F Potts

E.F. Gene Potts passed from this life on August 2nd, 2006 in Fort Smith Arkansas. He was born on July 27th, 1920 in the Cleveland/Terlton, Oklahoma area to John Fred and Rachel Caswell Potts. Gene attended schools in Pawnee County at Greenwood Elementary and Terlton High School. He was drafted into the Army Air Corp. on August 14th, 1942. He flew 25 missions over Northern France, Normandy and Germany as a waist gunner in a B-17 bomber nicknamed Thunder Mug. He was Honorably Discharged on September 6th, 1945, having received the Good Conduct Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, the Air Medal, and a Bronze Oakleaf Cluster in recognition of his service to his country. While Gene was stationed in England, he met and married Mary Walker-Kerr in Stratford, England. They came back to the states living in Mehan, OK and Wichita, KS. This union resulted in two daughters, Laura Gene and Barbara Ellen. This marriage ended in divorce. Gene then moved to Denver, CO. to attend school for private investigations. He met his second wife, Joanne Mahkorn from Milwaukee, WI. They moved to Milwaukee where their two children, John Raymond and Jane Enid were born. In the late 70s, Gene traveled extensively with his work, settling in Stillwater, OK. He met and married Dorothy Tate but this union was short lived and ended in divorce. Even though they were divorced, they remained friends. He continued in Stillwater until moving to the Talihina Veterans Center in December, 2005. Gene worked as a sheetrock hanger and a sheet metal worker. He belonged to the Carpenters Union and the Sheet Metal Workers Union, Local #124, in Oklahoma City, OK. After retirement he became a process server. He was a mason and a member in good standing with the Stillwater Gem and Mineral Society and the Rocky Mountain Gem and Mineral Federation. Gene lived to hunt rocks which he made into beautiful jewelry. He loved to fish, could always tell a good story and never did meet a stranger. He was the oldest of ten children. Their parents preceded him in death as well as one brother, Paul Potts, one daughter, Jane Potts, and his second wife, Joanne (Mahlkorn) Potts. Gene is survived by daughters, Laura Castleberry and husband Larry of Cleveland, OK, Barbara Dulin of Albuquerque, NM and son, John R. Potts and wife Nancy Gethers of Fort Wayne, IN. Six grandchildren, Rebecca Castleberry King and husband John of Sapulpa, OK, Mike and Kendra Castleberry of Pawnee, OK., Sarah Potts and Carolyn Potts of Naperville, Il. And eleven great grandchildren. There are eight surviving siblings, Roy V. Potts of Lyons, KS, June Bell of Wichita, KS, Peggy Prickett, W.C. Potts and wife Sami and Annabelle Baker all of Stillwater, Jerry Potts and wife Jean Gay of Glencoe, Mary Staton and husband Tim of Warrior, AL. and Betsy Muro of Joplin, MO., many nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives and a host of friends from around the United States. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Peachtree Hospice, 1311 S. I St., Ft. Smith, AR 72901 or the Stillwater Gem and Mineral Society, c/o The Lingbachs 1116 S. Gray, Stillwater, OK 74074 or the memorial of your choice in his name. Memorial services will be held Monday, August 7th, 2006 at Diamond Valley Community Church with Jeff Kuhn officiating. Genes ashes will be scattered around their Grandpas spring at Terlton, OK that afternoon. The family has entrusted Palmer Marler Carberry Funeral Home with arrangements.