Eugene Manley Scoggins, 82, died on January 11, 2014 at his home surrounded by his loved ones. Gene was born on December 28, 1931 in Sioux City, Iowa to John Scoggins and Lucille McCullough. Gene grew up in Southern California and joined the US Air Force at 18. He met Evelyn Betty Scoggins while serving in England. They were married in Halstead, England on October 31, 1953 and had 3 children Michael, Patricia and Paul. Gene's military career as a Meteorologist, took him and his family across Europe and the United States, with one unaccompanied tour of duty in Vietnam in 1968. He eventually settled in Northern California where he retired from the Air Force in 1973 as a Senior Master Sergeant after 24 years of service. Gene was a lifelong weather enthusiast and taught meteorology courses at Santa Rosa Junior College. He joined the US Post Office in San Rafael, CA where he worked until 1990 when he and his wife retired to the Salt Lake City area to be near their grandchildren. They were married 41 years until Betty's death in 1994.
Gene had a great love of music and was an active supporter of classical music in Salt Lake City where he ushered for the Utah Symphony and often appeared as a supernumerary in Utah Opera performances. Gene served as President of the Chamber Music Society and also as Treasurer of the Intermezzo Chamber Music Series.
Gene met his partner, Rachel Navarro in 2003. They spent 11 years sharing their love of music and travel. Their travel adventures included cruises, trips through Europe, the Middle East and Alaska and on Safari in Tanzania where Gene loved photographing wildlife.
Gene is survived by his partner Rachel, daughter Patricia, son Paul and 6 grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in his name to the Chamber Music Society of Salt Lake City or the Intermezzo Chamber Music Series.
Family services were held in his honor on Tuesday January 14, 2014.
