Eugene "Gene" Thomas Cropper, 84, of Newark, died Tuesday January 14, 2025, at the Selma Markowitz Hospice Center. He was born September 27, 1940, in Flemingsburg, KY to the late Thomas and Margaret (Dixon) Cropper.

Gene was soft hearted and competitive. He'll be remembered most for his love for his wife, Ruthann, and the 64 years they spent together creating a beautiful life and family. He loved to fish, hunt, grill and watch his beloved Kentucky Wildcats and Ohio State Buckeyes. He could make any stranger laugh and smile, a loving and supportive grandfather ready with a pep talk and a red Gatorade before a big game. He touched so many lives and brightened so many days. He will be sorely missed and never forgotten.

Gene was a graduate of St. Patrick High School in Maysville, Kentucky. He retired as a bank examiner for the State of Ohio and was always willing to give sound advice and not afraid to stand up for who or what he believed in. Gene was a past President of the Jaycee's in Missouri, a member of Moose Lodge of Newark, and was named a Kentucky Colonel.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ruthann (Tracy) Cropper; children, Jeff (Amber) Cropper and their children, Sarah, Brooke (Ryan), Rachel (Alec), Samson, and a great granddaughter , Hazel; Mechelle (Greg) Mitchell and their children, Jacob, Zachariah (Haley), Noah, Eli and great granddaughters Mariah and Isabella; Necole (Roger) Schulz and grandson, Nick Stone; and his brothers, Danny Shumaker, Mark Shumaker and Keith Shumaker.

A memorial visitation will be held Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 1-3 pm at the Brucker and Kishler Funeral Home, 985 N 21st. St. Newark, Ohio.

To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.brucker-kishlerfuneralhome.com