Eugene Joseph DeBons

Eugene Joseph DeBons, 102, of Paragould, passed away in North Little Rock on Monday, January 25, 2016. Gene was born in Paragould on March 30, 1913, the youngest child of Ben and Bertha DeBons. He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Frances Martin DeBons; parents; sister, Marie; and brothers, Louis, Bennie, and Albert. He is survived by his five children, Gene (Cinda) of Richmond, Texas, John (Pam) of Lindale, Texas, Kathy Bay of Sherwood, Ark., Mike (Brenda) of Dumas, Texas, and Phyllis Grimes of El Paso, Texas. He leaves behind 10 grandchildren, Chris, Jeremy, John and Joe DeBons, Keri Thompson, Kevin and Hunter Bay, Anna TerAvest, and Jennifer and Spencer Grimes. His five great-grandchildren are Emma, Abbey, Josh, Elizabeth, and Theodore. From his baptism to his days as an altar server to his hundredth year in the congregation, Gene was a faithful member and supporter of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Gene was a member of Fox Hills Golf Club since 1930 and was awarded a lifetime membership in 1988 for his longstanding service and contributions to the club. He continued volunteering at the club and playing golf until his 99th year. Gene learned the sheet metal trade from his father and became co-owner of DeBons Sheet Metal Shop in 1949. He retired from the sheet metal business in 1988. During the early years of World War II, Gene worked at the Charleston Navy Yard doing sheet metal construction on new destroyers. In 1943, he joined the U.S. Navy's Construction Battalion (Seabees) as a Chief Shipfitter. Following training at Camp Peary in Williamsburg, Virginia, he deployed to the South Pacific and served in New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, and Emirau. Gene pursued many interests in life including quail hunting, fishing, camping, gardening, bread making, beekeeping, golf, stock market investments, reading, and Razorback sports. His high level of energy and activity was an inspiration to family and friends. Rosary service will be held at 6:00 pm with visitation following from 6:30-8 p.m. January 29th at Heath Funeral Home in Paragould, Arkansas. Funeral mass is scheduled at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 30th at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Paragould, Arkansas. Online tributes: www.heathfuneralhome.com.