Eugene S. Tarrence

Eugene S. Tarrence, 85 of Gaylord, passed away Thursday, June 7, 2018 at home with his family by his side.

He was born November 25, 1932 in Detroit, the son of the late Harmon and Bonnie (Sloan) Tarrence.  Gene married Juliette Valeri on December 15, 1962, together they raised two daughters.

Gene proudly served our country as a member of the United States Air Force from 1952-1956.   After returning home, he went to work at the Chrysler Tank & Missile Plant for a few years.  Gene was employed by Vickers Inc. in Troy for 30 years as a Hydraulic and Electrical Engineer.

His work revolved around many aerospace and defense projects as well as a NASA Apollo project.  His proudest projects included the Air Force B-1 Strategic Bomber and the B-2 Stealth Bomber.  His position with Vickers took him to Omaha NE from 1986 to 1988 where he decided to retire and return home to Michigan.  Retirement didn’t suit Gene at that time, he was invited back to Vickers as a consultant.  Within a few years, Gene started working as a Chief Project Engineer for Hydraulic Power Systems.  In 1996 along with his wife Julie, Gene retired to Lewiston Michigan.  In 2005 they moved from Lewiston to Gaylord.

A good, kind and gentle man, Gene enjoyed his family especially his four granddaughters and his great grandchildren.  Gene loved the many dogs the family had over the years and although he had always said no to cats, he welcomed the nine stray cats they rescued.

Gene loved walking in the woods, hunting, fishing, golfing and cheering the Red Wings, Lions and MSU football teams.

He is survived by Julie, his wife of 55 years; daughters, Andrea Priehs of Sterling Heights and Jeanine Atkinson of Kokomo, IN; grandchildren, Jennifer Mizinski, Kristin (Michael) Langlands, Ashley (Justin) Breedlove and Shawn Atkinson; great grandchildren, Chandler, Liam and Constance Breedlove, Zoey and Carter Mizinski and Italeigh Atkinson; a brother-in-law, Adrian Valeri and nieces, Laura (Stan) Ludlow, Angela and Jessica Ludlow.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his twin sister, Bonnie Tarrence Valeri; a son-in-law, Barry Priehs and a nephew, David Michaelson.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Lewiston where the family will gather with friends beginning at 11:00 AM.  In lieu of flowers, those who wish are asked to consider memorial contributions in his name to Paralyzed Veterans of America, Wounded Warriors Project or McLaren Hospice of Little Traverse Bay.

Arrangements are by Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service.  Please share your memories and personal messages with the family at www.gaylordfuneralhome.com