Obituary for Gene Stapleton
Carl Eugene "Gene" Stapleton died of a heart attack on March 27, 2021 at the age of 74. A resident of Spartanburg, SC, Gene is survived by his son, Josh Stapleton; his daughter and daughter-in-law, Amy and Jennifer Stapleton; his grandchildren, the loves of his life, who called him "Pappy:" Sam, Cash, and Ruby Stapleton; and his sisters, Linda Stapleton and Rebecca Prince. Gene was preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth Stapleton and his parents, Carl and Hilda Stapleton.
Gene loved fishing, horse racing, bluegrass music, independent movies, a good steak, and The University of South Carolina athletic teams. He was a life-long member of the ACLU, an avid reader of philosophy, and loved to debate politics and religion. He will be remembered for his fierce love of his family, especially his children and grandchildren. He was unabashed in that love, never missing a chance to tell his kids and grandkids that he loved them—even multiple times when hanging up from a phone call. Some of their favorite memories include the times they could convince him to pick up the guitar and sing and play some music, especially Mountain music.
He shared wisdom and kindness freely. Gene was incredibly warm to his friends and colleagues and the friends of his children. Once he invited someone into his circle, the person remained there forever, with Gene often getting in touch or asking about them decades after they had last seen each other.
He did not value worldly possessions and instead lived a simple life. He leaves an invaluable legacy of deep love and wisdom.
He spent more than twenty years in Portsmouth, Virginia where he sold marine paint for Navy vessels, primarily at Anderson Paint, where his colleagues became family.
A family gathering and celebration of life will occur at a later date.
Gene loved fishing, horse racing, bluegrass music, independent movies, a good steak, and The University of South Carolina athletic teams. He was a life-long member of the ACLU, an avid reader of philosophy, and loved to debate politics and religion. He will be remembered for his fierce love of his family, especially his children and grandchildren. He was unabashed in that love, never missing a chance to tell his kids and grandkids that he loved them—even multiple times when hanging up from a phone call. Some of their favorite memories include the times they could convince him to pick up the guitar and sing and play some music, especially Mountain music.
He shared wisdom and kindness freely. Gene was incredibly warm to his friends and colleagues and the friends of his children. Once he invited someone into his circle, the person remained there forever, with Gene often getting in touch or asking about them decades after they had last seen each other.
He did not value worldly possessions and instead lived a simple life. He leaves an invaluable legacy of deep love and wisdom.
He spent more than twenty years in Portsmouth, Virginia where he sold marine paint for Navy vessels, primarily at Anderson Paint, where his colleagues became family.
A family gathering and celebration of life will occur at a later date.