Clarence E. “Gene” Botts
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Services for Clarence E. “Gene” Botts who died on Dec. 9, 2014, will be held at l0:30 a.m., January 9, 2015, at Warren McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence, KS. Family members will greet visitors following the ceremony. Inurnment with military honors will follow at 2:30 that afternoon at Hubbel Hill Cemetery in Tonganoxie, KS.
Gene was born on May 10, 1930 in Tonganoxie, KS to Alta May Niebaum Botts and William Glen Botts. He graduated from Tonganoxie Rural High School in 1948 and later earned an Associate of Arts degree from Alan Hancock College. Following high school graduation, Gene moved to Chicago where he worked with his father in the field of auto mechanics. In 195l, Gene joined the U. S. Air Force. He was an instrumentation and automatic pilot technician for several years until he was based at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc, CA and ultimately worked as a missile instrument supervisor. He retired in 1977 with the rank of Msgt. After retirement from the military, Gene remained on base and worked another 15 years for ITT Corporation in the field of missile instrumentation, retiring in 1994.
In 2006 Gene and his wife Colene moved from Lompoc, CA to Lawrence, KS. Gene was a member of First United Methodist Church, American Legion, Tonganoxie VFW and many service related organizations. He enjoyed traveling, reading, participating in community education classes through the university, attending theater events and following the activities of great-grandchildren and other relatives in the area.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Keith Alan, and his wife Mary Sue Botts. He is survived by his wife Colene Slawson DeHoff of the home, his son Dennis (Rebecca) of Huntsville, AL and daughters Denise (Joe) Dobbs and Deana (Billy) Grace of McKinney, TX. He is also survived by his stepsons Harold (Rhonda) Anderson of Lompoc, CA, Bill DeHoff (Ginger) of Lenexa, KS, and four stepdaughters Sharon (Dave) Scherer of St. Joseph, MI, Louise White of Tonopah, AZ, Pamela Anderson of Williamsburg, W.VA and Susan (Larry) Andrews of Lawrence, KS, grandsons Chase and Blake Dobbs and David and Dylan Grace, granddaughter Nicole Edwards and great-grandchildren Tanner and Reese Edwards, 12 step-grandchildren and 19 step-great-grandchildren and many members of his extended family.
In lieu of flowers memorials contributions may be made in the name of Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association in care of the mortuary.
I wish to express my condolence to Colene and the family of Clarence. We were in school together since the 6th grade, and
it was a joy. I remember playing marbles with him and John James Cain in grade school at Tonganoxie Grade School. The friendship continued on through high school as he was also friends with my husband.
Please accept my deepest condolences to you Colene and family. Gene was a blessed and wonderful person. It was a pleasure to know him and to call him my friend. Lots of fun times working missile launches with him. May he rest in peace.
Gene was in our lives for 40 yrs. …. from Day 1 – sharing in the joys of our Mother’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren (births, school activities, graduations, weddings, retirements, etc) and also comforting us during our times of sorrow. As stepchildren, we were very blessed, fortunate and honored to have him as a stepdad and FRIEND. We loved him dearly and will miss him greatly.
The Anderson’s, The White’s, The Scherer’s, The Langston’s, The Conley’s
Gene, you will be greatly missed. Each of us holds a special place in our hearts for you. We will remember how you filled our lives with joy, laughter, happeness and love. You had a a admirable quality as a man, father and a friend. We will all have a big void without you in our lives. In loving memories. The Anderson children
Gene i am gonna miss you. You may not have been my blood dad, but you were my dad. You were there for me when my father wasnt around. I love you and miss you. You always treated all your step-children as if we were your own children. Thank you Gene. I lovery and miss you.
Gene,
Rhonda and I will truly miss all your wisdom, guidance and love you gave us for so many years, you were the cornerstone of this family! I know that when I was younger (much younger) I put most of them gray hairs on your head that you were so proud of but you always stood by me and believed in me. You always said to me ” I am proud of you son”
As I sat there Christmas Eve watching all of my children and grandchildren all I could think of was how blessed we were and what an influence you have been in our lives. We love you and we all have so many memories that will never be forgotten. I know the only thing I can really say is “I am proud of you Dad”
Gene even though I never got the Pleasure of meeting you Ive heard nothing but great and wonderful things about you. You was always there for Pam and I wish I could of personally thank you for that. you seemed like an Angel here on earth now your an Angel in Heaven still looking down on those you loved. I pray you was able to meet my boys. God only knows you would like them. So young man fly high with them till we all meet in heaven .
I first met Gene in 1986 when he worked part-time at the Recreation Center Snack Bar at Vandenberg Air Force Base. He and Mary were quite a couple, then after her passing he found love again with Colene, ultimately moving back to their childhood homes in Kansas.
Gene will be dearly missed by all who knew him. He was truly a kind and gentle man.
My thoughts and prayers are with Colene and all the family.
Dear Colene and family, I am so sorry to hear of Gene’s passing. What a wonderful man he was. I loved his sense of humor and won’t forget how he always remembered birthdays. I loved receiving those cards on my Birthday. I still have the set of western books he gave me and will think of him as I read them over and over. God bless you Colene.
Coleen, so sorry to hear of Gene’s passing. I know that he will be sorely missed and so happy you have had all this time together. Sending love and light and hoping to see you this spring. Hugs and thoughts of peace! Love you. Sharon
We were so sorry to hear about Gene’s death. We pray that God will give you peace and many wonderful memories of your lives together.
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