Eugene V. Routen April 17, 1919 – October 25, 2015

Memorial services will be held 2:00 P.M., Saturday, November 7, 2015, at Gilroy United Methodist Church, 7600 Church St., Gilroy, CA. Online condolences at www.habingfamilyfuneralhome.com.
 Eugene passed away quietly, with family members at his bedside. He was 96 years old.
 He is survived by his wife, Bette; five children, Marilyn, Joyce, Philip, Betty, and Michael; and three step-children, Mark, Thomas, and Boo Fuqua, 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, and three step-great-grandchildren.
 He was born in Seminole, OK and grew up poor. When the Dust Bowl happened, his family packed their few belongings and came to California.
 At the onset of World War II, he found himself in the Army and fought in the Philippines, where he earned a Bronze Star.
 After the war, he remained in the Army and retired as a Lt. Colonel after 22 years of service.
 He began a new career selling real estate. Twenty-one years later, he left real estate to begin a new career as a Man Friday at a mortuary where he finally retired at 88 years of age because his wife needed him at home.
 Eugene was a special man. He believed in love of country, love of family, loyalty, honesty, bravery, and steadfastness.