Eugene "Gene" Dean Bales, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away on Tuesday, April 25, 2017, at his home with his family at his side.
Gene was a native of Lee County, Va., and the son of the late Howell Edgar and Etta Jane Dean Bales. A graduate of Virginia Tech at Blacksburg, Va., and following his military career, he returned to Virginia Tech where he received his Masters Degree in Civil Engineering. He and his wife, Jeanette Bales moved to Chattanooga in 1953. He was an employee of Converse Bridge and Steel Company and later was employed with Cramet Inc. He was employed by T.U. Parks Construction Company in 1958 and retired after 32 years as Vice President and Chief Engineer. He was a Professional Engineer registered in Tennessee and several states. He served in the US Army in World War II. Gene was an active member of Brainerd United Methodist Church and the Friendship Sunday School Class. He served as chairman of the official board of the church and has chaired several committees of the church. Gene was an active member of the Chattanooga Engineers Club, Masonic Lodge, Chattanooga Optimist Club, Chattanooga Half-Century Club, Contact Telephone Ministries, and was a past member of the Eastern Star.
In addition to his wife, Jeanette, of 71 years, he is survived by two children, Judge David E. Bales (Jan), and Joy Bales Ludwig (David), both of Signal Mountain, Tennessee, four grandchildren, Chris G. Bales, Jennifer Ludwig Stone (Patrick), Stephanie Ludwig Devine (Shawn), and Kristin McBride Allen (Scott); seven great-grandchildren, Hamilton and Hutton Bales, Alex Allen, Rylan and Dylan Stone, Wesley and Nicholas Devine. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Friendship Class of Brainerd United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Brainerd United Methodist Church.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, April 28, at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 S. Moore Road with Dr. Dennis Flaugher officiating.
The family will receive friends from 12–2 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Hamilton Memorial Gardens Highway 153 North.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com.