EDGINGTON, Gene C. (1972-2015)

EDGINGTON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 1/27/2016 at 18:41:39

Gene Christian Edgington
(July 14, 1972 - Oct 12, 2015)

Gene Christian Edgington, was born July 14, 1972 in Chicago IL to Jim and Lillian Nihoff. He lived in the New York area until he was 3, when he and his mother moved to Altoona IA. Gene's mother was working as a waitress at Bossellman's Truck Stop and that is where she met Robert (Bob) Edgington; Bob instantly took a liking to Gene. Bob fondly told stories of a cute little boy who was very shy but full of energy. Gene also took an instant liking to Bob and Bob quickly went from being Bob to the man Gene proudly called Dad. Gene and his mom had a hard life moving from place to place trying to find a place to call home, Bob and Lillian quickly fell in love and Married and were officially a family.
The Family moved to Indianola IA, Lillian (a registered nurse by trade) became a stay at home mother and Bob earned a living as a Truck Driver. Gene idolized his dad and would often tell stories of his dad taking him to work with him; bob would put him on the seat next to him; Gene (Who always wanted to know what was happening) would sit on his dad's tool box that was on the seat so that he could see out the window. Gene loved nothing more than spending time with his dad; his dad was everything to him and that is one of the reasons Gene was such an amazing father himself. When gene was 8 years old, he became a big brother to his sister Roberta (Bobbi). The family lived in Indianola until Gene was 10 and then they moved to Kirksville Missouri for a few years and then they moved back to Indianola, where Gene attended and Graduated from Indianola High School in 1990.
One of Gene's favorite songs was (The Walk by Conway Twitty); This song represents the relationship Gene had with his dad.
After High School gene decided to join the Air Force; His dad was a navy man and a veteran of Pearl Harbor. Gene always wanted to follow in his dad's footsteps. After two years and serving in the Gulf War during desert storm, he got out of the Air Force and moved back home to Indianola. Gene had been trained to be a mechanic while in the Air Force and when he returned home he became an automotive mechanic. In June 1993, Gene became a proud father of his first Child, Cody Wayne Edgington. Gene loved nothing more than being a father and it definitely showed; you would see his hole face light up when he talks about his Children. In 1994 Gene decided to change fields and he became a diesel mechanic, since his dad was a truck driver, this was a natural transition for Gene. In June of 1996, Gene became a father again to son Cole Christian Edgington.
Shortly after Cole was born, gene decided that he wanted to get back in to the Military. Gene signed up with the Army National Guard in 1996; Gene was very honored and excited to get back into the military. It was a good fit for him. He could still work his full time Job as a diesel mechanic and one weekend a month he would serve with the national-guard. While in the National Guard, Gene got to travel to different parts of the United States and even went around the world to Okinawa Japan. He loved everything about the military, he got to run drills and training exercises, he shot a variety weapons and was also trained as a Crane Operator. Gene was proud to say, not only could he fix heavy equipment, but he could operate them as well.
In July 2003, Gene became the Proud Father of his Daughter Taylor Jo Edgington. Gene beamed with Pride when he found out he was the father of a little Girl, he would soon learn to love playing barbies and playing house. Gene was a natural outdoorsman who loved to fish, hunt and target shoot; but when it came to his little girl he would gladly trade the fishing pole for a cup of pretend tea and an afternoon of playing with dolls. Soon after Taylor was born, she became a big sister to brother Zachary Robert Edgington born in June 2004.
Also in 2004, Gene was called to duty again, this time with the National Guard to help the fight in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Gene proudly spent 18 months overseas fighting in the war, he returned home in 2005. Gene was very proud to call himself a veteran, and was also very proud of his tour of duty serving in Afghanistan.
When Gene returned home from serving his country, he went back to work in the mechanic field, but instead of turning wrenches he went into management. He held several positions as a manager of automotive and diesel shops. Gene was a people person, he loved talking with people and trading stories. With his natural gift of gab and his vast knowledge of mechanics, he was a natural fit as a manager. Gene was well liked and respected not only by his customers but by his employees as well.
In December 2009 he became father to Sarina Joe Edgington (AKA-His little Peanut). Like all of his other kids, Sarina had daddy wrapped around her little finger. Gene will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. Gene knew no stranger, everyone that he met seemed to gravitate towards him. You never knew who was going to show up when Gene was around. Gene was known as the life of the party and he was the first to always lend a helping hand when needed.
Gene passed away on October 12, 2015 at the age of 43 after his short battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis Lung disease. Gene is survived by his loving Wife Jessica Edgington, Son's Cody, Cole and Zach, Daughters Taylor and Sarina, Sisters Zelda and Bobbi, several nieces, nephews and vast amounts of friends. Gene was preceded in death by his Parents Robert and Lillian Edgington.
This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, [http://www.overtonfuneral.com/]