A visitation will be held for Gene Barger, 83, at Fairview Funeral Home, Inc. on Tuesday, August 11 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Burial at the Sunnyside Cemetery in Caney, Kansas will be later. Arrangements are by Fairview Funeral Home, Inc.

Viewing will be held Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with the family being present between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. (on Tuesday) at Fairview Funeral Home, Inc.

Clifford Eugene "Gene" Barger was born on April 7, 1926 in Caney, Kansas to Lanville and Florence (Keifer) Barger and passed away August 8, 2009 at the Fairview Regional Medical Center in Fairview, Oklahoma.

Gene attended Caney schools and left to join the United States Navy as a junior in high school. He proudly served during World War II, entering active duty on February 29, 1944 and was honorably discharged on January 18, 1946. Gene served on the USS Rushmore (LSD-14) and the USS YMS 113. He received the Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two stars and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars. Following his service to his country Gene returned to graduate from Caney High School and attended welding school. He worked for the Co-Op for several years. Gene then began working for Phillips Petroleum where he worked throughout the United States for 33 years. For several years, the family lived in Fairview, Oklahoma. After retiring from Phillips, he then contracted for seven years.

Gene married Guyla Ashbrook on June 21, 1958 in Miami, Oklahoma. To this union three children were born, Rhonda, Linda and Ron. He was a member of the Methodist Church in Caney, Kansas.

Gene will always be known for his bountiful gardens, which he enjoyed sharing with friends and family. He also enjoyed beekeeping and was a member of the Oklahoma Beekeepers Association as well as the Northwest Beekeepers Association. Gene loved to train birddogs and was an avid quail hunter.

Gene is survived by his wife Guyla of the home; daughter Rhonda Tate of Luther, Oklahoma; son Ron Barger of Enid; two granddaughters, Ashley Rink of Covington, Oklahoma and Jamie Tate of Luther; and twin sister Emma Jean Gaut of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Linda; and brother Lanville Dehon Barger.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association of Oklahoma, or charity of choice, with Fairview Funeral Home, Inc. acting as custodian.

Condolences may be made on line at www.fairviewfuneralhomeinc.com.