Gene Anders

Gene Anders, loving husband, fantastic Father, and talented business professional was born April 27th, 1938, in Gauley Bridge, West Virginia and died October 19th, 2024, in Little Rock, Arkansas. Known for his charismatic personality, he lived a colorful life rooted in dedication to his family and establishing meaningful relationships with others.

As a young boy growing up in Portsmouth, Ohio during the post-depression era, Gene developed a strong sense of pride contributing to his family’s survival along with an incredibly hard work ethic. He had paper routes, shined shoes, did odd jobs, and worked as a gas station attendant. His mother, Marie, said of Gene that “at the age of twelve, he was a grown man.” At age 14, he astonished everyone by buying his first car—a 1952 Ford Model T “Tin Lizzie”.

Gene graduated from East Portsmouth High School, then moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where he married Ann Melonas, his beloved wife of 63 years. He took a sales job with the Wexner and Jacobson Company. Gene excelled in the retail business and the company promoted him to be District Sales Manager of six stores in New Orleans, Louisiana. Gene had a gift for motivating others, creating unity, and establishing strong teamwork that resulted in flourishing business.

After 17 years, Gene and Ann left New Orleans and moved to Gulley Bridge, West Virginia, where they assisted their parents by renovating a hotel and managing a restaurant. They went on to own and manage other restaurants, before selling them and retiring.

Gene and Ann moved to Longmont, Colorado, where they spent five years being near their son John. Then, Gene moved to Little Rock, where he spent the last five years of his life to be near his oldest son, Mike.

His sons will always cherish the time they had together. Gene will be remembered for his fierce determination, his love and dedication to his family, his kindness, his charming personality, and near the end of his life…how he lived each day with grace and a thankful heart for all the blessings God bestowed upon him.

Gene is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Marie Anders of Portsmouth, Ohio, and a sister, Shelby Tolett of Crossville, Tennessee.

Gene is survived by his Beloved Wife of 63 years, Ann Anders, 2 sons, Mike and his wife Pam, and John and his wife Carolyn, two Grandchildren-Matthew Anders, of Little Rock, Megan Cates and her

husband Ben, who resides in Louisville, Colorado, and one Beautiful Great-Grandson-Ansel Cates.

Loved Forever, Remembered Fondly, Rest in Peace Gene.