(August 30, 2011) Gene Thomas Lorenson unexpectedly passed away at 3:15 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30 at Providence Hospital in Anchorage.

Gene was born Dec. 13, 1960, to Rudy and Betty Lorenson, and he was the youngest of three children. Growing up on Spruce Cape, Gene experienced a childhood most could only dream about. He would spend hours in his backyard building forts, and as he grew into young adulthood, cutting trails in the woods with his motorcycles. Building and maintaining his motorcycles was a passion that followed Gene the rest of his life.

After graduating Kodiak High School, Gene left for vocational school in Tacoma, Wash. It was there he learned his trade of engine and outboard repair, which he would fine-tune into an art form throughout the coming years.

Upon completing vocational school, Gene chose to come back home to Kodiak. It was then he met his soul mate, Sharon. He loved to tell the story of how they met on a blind date on New Year’s Day, and how he loved the flower Sharon wore in her hair. They were married in the backyard of his childhood home on Aug. 14, 1983, and enjoyed 28 years of marriage. Gene often told his children that their mother was his rock and he would not know what to do without her.

In April 1985, Gene and Sharon welcomed their first child, Lynda Joy, to the family. In December 1988, the family welcomed Gene Thomas. In January 1995 they welcomed Grant William and in April 1998, Aaron Lee completed the family. Gene and their children shared a special bond, and he loved them beyond words. In March 2008, Gene was blessed with his first grandson, Bryan William, by his daughter Lynda and in September 2010 he was also able to welcome Nicholas Benjamin Oscar to his daughter’s family. Often Gene told Lynda he was so proud of those babies who were a little part of him.

His adult life revolved around his wife, children and grandchildren, work and friends.

In fall 1990, Gene was hired as the mechanic at Sutliff’s True Value. He would work for Sutliff’s the rest of his life. During the time he spent at work, he established trusted relationships with all of his customers as well as coworkers. There was nothing Gene enjoyed more than the freedom of his shop and his work there.

Gene was an active member of St. James Episcopal Church. He was a devoted member and served as both a lay reader and a member of the Vestry. The church held special significance to Gene, as it was where his mother and father attended church, as well.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Rudy and Betty. He is survived by his devoted wife Sharon and their children: daughter Lynda Joy and her husband Teddy and their children Bryan and Nicholas; Gene Thomas II, Grant William and Aaron Lee; his sister Christy Kinter and her daughter Abby; his brother Charles, his wife Penny and their son Rudy; his father-in-law Lloyd Davis and his wife Lorelee; his brother -in-law Terry, his wife Jackie and their children Amanda and Jessica; his sister-in-law Susan Knapp her husband Rick and their children Kimberly and Megan; his sister-in-law Allison and her husband and children; his brother-in-law Llyod Davis and his children; as well as his cousin Emil Norton, close friends Larry Shaker and Brian Mullen, as well as aunts, uncles and cousins. Though the lives of everyone that knew him are forever changed, we are all that much better for having Gene in our lives.