Eugene "Lefty" Whitacre

Eugene “Lefty” Whitacre passed suddenly on Feb. 5, 2017 due to a fall at his residence in Fountain Hills.

Gene “Lefty” Whitacre was born Dec. 9, 1926 in Marion, Ind. He moved to Ft. Wayne, Ind. in 1935. Graduating from North Side High School in 1945 he was recognized as the most outstanding long distance runner in the state of Indiana, receiving numerous medals for his achievements.

He entered the military in 1945 and served with the 1st Cavalry 7th division the last of the mounted cavalry as Staff Sergeant under the command of General Douglas MacArthur in the first occupation forces of Tokyo Japan.

He returned to graduate from Purdue University with a degree in Industrial Technology. He was a purchasing manager for General Electric and American Hoist and Derrick. Later he was in sales with Inland Steel and eventually established his own company as a manufacture rep.

One of his most memorable experiences was in 1956 he had the honor of dining with Jesse Owens, the four gold medal winner of the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany.

Gene "Lefty" Whitacre loved life and enjoyed hunting, fishing, running and was devoted to his family. Retiring in 1999 to Fountain Hills he enjoyed the lifestyle of the “Valley of the Sun.” He was a member of the Christ Church in Fountain Hills.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Ann of 67 years; daughters, Denise Ann Whitacre of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. and Beth Whitacre Afonso-James Afonso, Gold Canyon, Ariz.; special nephew, Greg Whitacre, Destin, Fla.; grandchildren, Ryan Stevens, Virginia Beach, Va. and Annmarie Ervin, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; great grandchildren, Riley and Rielle Stevens, Virginia Beach, Va. and his beloved Lhasa Apso companion Cali.

There will be a military service and interment at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Cave Creek on Friday April 21 at 1 p.m. Donations may be made to his favorite charity St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN in memory of Eugene H. Whitacre.