Eugene Irvin Place

Eugene Irvin Place, (Gene) 80, of Hamer died Thursday, August 17, 2017 of leukemia and other prolonged illness with family by his side. Gene was born May 23, 1937 in Albuquerque, New Mexico to George B Gamble Place and Lucille Emma Nicholson. He was later joined by a Sister, Evelyn. His father was a construction worker so he was raised and lived in many places in Arizona and New Mexico following work. He attended elementary school wherever they lived, sometimes going to 2 or 3 or more schools in a school year.  He graduated from Silver City High School, Silver City, New Mexico in 1954 where he was active in football and took pride in his academic accomplishments graduating his Junior year. In July of 1955 Gene moved to Meeker, Colorado to work. While there he met and married Janice Louise Jenkins July 28, 1956.  They had 3 daughters, Kimberly Ann, Nancy Dawn, and Amber Lucille. By then they were living in Grand Junction, Colorado and Gene was farming.  Gene and Janice were divorced December 3, 1962. The following year Gene met Mary Kearsley who was teaching school at Fruita, Colorado. They were married November 27, 1963.  They had 4 children:  Lara, Justin Daniel, Bart Thomas, and Irvin Eugene who died shortly after birth.  Gene decided to give up farming and started college at Mesa Junior College, in Grand Juction, Colorado the fall of 1963. He attended two years there graduating in June with a pre-engineering degree. He and Mary moved to Granger, Utah where Gene attended the University of Utah until graduation in June 1967 as a mechanical engineer. He worked in Soda Springs, Idaho and Kennwick, Washington, before moved to Hamer, Idaho and worked at the INEL. Home was Hamer from that time forward.Gene still had farming in his blood and acquired some farm ground in Hamer where over the span of a few years, started full time farming. This was where the family was raised, with Justin now operating the farm.  Gene and Mary were later divorced and he married Janice Meidinger Pauley.  Gene served on several boards and committees including, West Jefferson Memorial Cemetery Board, State Historical Society, Clark County cattleman's association, and Farm Service Board. Gene enjoyed hunting, fishing, and farming. He loved his family and was proud of their accomplishments.  Gene is survived by his wife, Janice Place, children Kimberly Ann (Pat) Fowler of Dallas, Texas; Nancy Dawn Place of San Antonio, Texas; Lara Marler of Knoxville, Tennessee; Justin Daniel (Tara) Place of Hamer, Idaho; Bart Thomas (Jolyn) Place of Herriman, Utah; 13 grandchildren, his sister Evelyn (Bill) Leonard of Mayhill, New Mexico, and many dear friends he's made along the way.   He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Amber, and son Irvin.  Funeral service will be held at the Hamer L.D.S. Church, Saturday September 2, 2017, 1:00 p.m. The family will visit with friends and family on Friday September 1, 2017 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. and prior to the service from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Burial will be at the West Jefferson Memorial Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to the West Jefferson High school music Program or FFA. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.eckersellfuneralhome.com