Gene Allen Morford , 74, of rural Columbia City, died peacefully in the company of his wife at 6:55 a.m., Monday, December 2, 2024.

He was born in Huntington County on January 10, 1950, to the late Gerald Raymond Morford and Deloris Marie (Prather) Morford.  He completed Larwill Elementary School and graduated from Larwill High School in 1969.

Mechanically inclined, he became a diesel truck mechanic and a CDL truck driver.  For over twenty years, he owned and operated his own truck and diesel mechanic shop.  When he wasn't driving them – he was fixing them.

On March 10, 1990, he married Carol Jean Owens.  They made their first home in Larwill.  In 1996, they moved to their present home in rural Columbia City.

He enjoyed vegetable gardening with his wife and tinkering in the shop with anything that had a motor.  He liked to watch truck and tractor pulls and attend the area events.  When his health and mobility declined, he enjoyed watching Old Westerns.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 34 years, Carol; a son Chris Morford of Fort Wayne; a granddaughter Jessica Strieby; and a brother, Roger (Gail) Morford of Larwill.

The funeral service is at 4 p.m. on Wednesday (December 4th) at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.  Visitation is from 1 p.m. until the service Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorials in Gene's honor are to St Jude's Children's Research Hospital.