Gene Edward Middleton, 95, died peacefully on January 6, 2025. He was born on December 6, 1929, in East St. Louis, Illinois, to Harry D. Middleton and Clara Belle Martin Middleton. Gene was the youngest of three children. He grew up in Southern Illinois and graduated from East St. Louis Senior High School.

Gene served in the United States Coast Guard from January 1954 to February 1957. He then enjoyed a distinguished career as a Regional Sales Manager with Air France Airlines for over thirty years. After retiring to Lakeland, Florida, Gene became an avid golfer, a dedicated deacon, and a Sunday School teacher at Crestview Baptist Church. He cherished time spent with family and friends, often gathering around the table to share meals or play card games.

Gene is survived by his three children: Linda Middleton Connor, Matt Middleton (Jenny), and Rick Middleton (Stephanie); daughter-in-law, Patty Middleton Jones (Steve); and fourteen grandchildren: Kristen Dalton (Andy), Nick Middleton (Michelle), Luke Middleton, Andrea Stocking (Luke), Kristin Willis (Todd), Lance Connor (Rachel), Kathryn Sparrow (Steven), Logan Connor (Jennifer), Caleb Middleton (Naomi), Josh Middleton (Krystina), Isaac Middleton (Lauren), Faith Keehn, RJ Middleton, and Geoff Middleton (Felicija). Gene's legacy lives on through his twenty-three great-grandchildren: Maddie (fiancé Ben Miller) and Abby Dalton; Blake and Paige Middleton; Jack and Emma Middleton; Natalie, Elin, and Marek Stocking; Carter, Cooper, and Campbell Willis; Raiden and Rocco Connor; Savannah Connor; Kieran and Aurora Sparrow; Lorelei and Levi Connor; Brayden and Gavin Middleton; Evie Keehn; and Linkin Middleton.

He was reunited in heaven with his beloved wife of 67 years, Amanda Loretta Reames Middleton; his son, Mark Edward Middleton; and his son-in-law, Kevin Lee Connor.

The memorial service will be held at 9:30 AM on January 17, 2025, at Gentry Morrison Serenity Gardens, 3350 Mall Hill Dr., Lakeland, FL 33810. Interment will follow at Florida National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gene's memory to the Alzheimer's Association alzfnd.org or ALS Association als.org.