CHIMNEY ROCK — Gene Fortner passed away on Jan. 3, 2013, at The Haven in Pineville, N.C., of complications from Alzheimer’s. He was born April 7, 1920, in Davidson, N.C., to the late Samuel and Laura Wilson Fortner, and was the youngest and last survivor of their eight children. From 1931 to 1939, Gene was raised at The Methodist Children’s Home in Winston-Salem, N.C., where he played football and baseball.
Gene fought in World War II as part of Army Company C, 322nd Regiment, 81st Infantry Wildcat Division and fought in the South Pacific at Peleliu and Angaur. Gene was a member of VFW Post 10473, Bat Cave, N.C., and the American Legion Post 0437, Chimney Rock, N.C. Gene was a truck driver with Akers Motor Lines for 20 years before his retirement. Gene loved all football and college basketball, especially Duke Basketball.
In addition to his parents and siblings, he was preceded in death by his wife, Geneva D. Fortner (2004); daughter-in-law, Aileen R. Lynch (2007); two sons-in-law, Stephen F. Oates (1997) and William T. Crump (2012).
Gene is survived by his daughter, Linda Fortner Oates Crump, of Charlotte, N.C.; stepson, Roy Lynch and his wife Kay, of Charlotte, N.C.; three step-grandchildren, Stephen Lynch, of Mooresville, N.C. , Chris Lynch and Greta (Bryan) Sifford, of Charlote, N.C., and two step-great-grandchildren, Kelsey and Megan Lynch, of Mooresville, N.C.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013, at Chimney Rock Baptist Church, 270 Boys Camp Rd., Lake Lure, N.C., with burial to follow in the church cemetery with military honors provided by the Rutherford County Veterans Honor Guard. The Rev. Gene Daggerhart will officiate. Mr. Fortner will lie in state 1 hour prior to the funeral. The family will receive friends at the church immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Children’s Home, 1001 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27104.
Crowe’s Mortuary is assisting the Fortner family. www.crowemortuary.com.
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Eugene Wilson Fortner
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