Gene Falkenrath, 93, Holladay, Utah, passed away on Feb. 1st at Intermountain Medical Center of causes due to age. One of two children born to Sherman Rodway and Geneve Catherine Parsons Falkenrath in Salt Lake City, Utah. His brother Orlie passed away as an infant.
He married Maxine England on June 4th, 1948. They met while working at Mountain Fuel Supply, it was truly love at first sight. They would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this summer. Maxine and Gene enjoyed dancing, especially to the 1940's dance music of Glenn Miller and the other Big Bands.
Gene started working at a young age and taught himself how to fix cars for money to support the family during the Great Depression. He learned to read before he attended school and was an avid fan of his local library. His favorite book was "Call of the Wild" by Jack London. On his 16th birthday in 1940 he got his pilot's license in the morning and his driver's license in the afternoon. His education at University of Utah and Westminster College was cut short by the start of WWII. During the war he chose to serve in the Air Transport Command. He was a flight instructor for several models of four engine aircraft and flew supply and troop transport missions all over the United States. He continued to fly after the war working for Western Airlines. He also served as a Salt Lake City Policeman (like his father), prison guard and paramedic. He worked in San Francisco for a time doing construction. He worked many odd jobs to make money for his family. Gene was a lifelong entrepreneur. He started a furnace and heating business: Salt Lake Heating. Later he proudly worked with his wife and all four of his sons at No. 1 International, Inc. He was an automotive enthusiast and had many cars in his life. He loved \32 ford roadsters. As a young man he boxed with the Utah Golden gloves. His favorite boxer was Jack Dempsey.
Maxine and Eugene established an Entrepreneur Scholarship at Westminster College in 2013.
Gene is survived by sons Ray (Vicki), Rex (Amy Paul), Jack (Jeanette) and Craig (Amy) and 13 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.
Proceeded in death by his wife Maxine England, parents, Sherman Falkenrath and Geneve Acocks, and brother, Orlie.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 10th, 2018 at 10 AM at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, SLC. A viewing will be held prior to the services from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM at the mortuary. Interment: Murray City Cemetery. Condolences may be made at www.LarkinMortuary.com
