E. L. "Gene" Crist Jr.

E. L. "Gene" Crist Jr., age 88, of Alexander, passed away Thursday, June 7, 2018. He was born Nov. 12, 1929 in Little Rock, Ark. Gene was a U. S. Navy Veteran serving during the Korean War. He retired as Assistant Police Chief on Sept. 15, 1973 for the City of Little Rock after 21 years of service. Gene later retired again as Business Manager of the Little Rock Police Department. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene L. Crist Sr. and Faye Crist; wife, Joan O. Crist and a sister, Ethel Jean Short. He is survived by two sons, Eugene L. Crist III of Benton and Michael D. Crist and wife LaQuita of Alexander; sister, Elizabeth Loomis of Bigelow; four grandchildren, Bradley Crist of Conway, Dustin Crist and wife Christy of Little Rock, Cody Crist and wife Megan of Bryant and Andrew Crist of Alexander; three great-grandchildren, Morrigan, Catherine, Keelan and one great-granddaughter arriving in September. Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, June 14 at Ashby Funeral Home for E. L. and his wife Joan (who passed away Oct. 23, 2015). Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Little Rock. The family would like to give a special thanks to CCU at Baptist Health in Little Rock, Saline Memorial Hospice House in Bryant and Tonya with Elite Home Health Care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Saline Memorial Hospice House at 23157 Hwy I-30 in Bryant, Ark., 72022. On-line guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.