W. Eugene "Gene" Trimble

Beloved husband of Mildred; devoted father of Rebecca (David) Poole and Douglas (Margaret) Trimble; loving grandfather of Joshua and Jessica Poole, and Calvin, Anna, and Katherine Trimble; brother of Kay March, Betty Baros, Jeannie Stalcar, and Beverly Ladrini.

Gene was born in 1934 in Texas. He grew up in the steel-mill town of Pueblo, Colorado, with his parents, Herb and Lois, and his four younger sisters, Kay, Betty, Jeanne, and Beverly. As the only boy in his family, Gene was known for his jokes, teasing, and funny adventures (traits which continue in our family). As the big brother, he was also known for his care of his sisters and his love of his dog, Tubby.

During his growing-up years, Gene attended a Baptist church with his family, went to his town’s public schools, joined ROTC, worked at Safeway, and helped with his dad’s Phillip 66 gas station and the drag-racing car they sponsored. Gene was the first in his family to graduate from high school. He went on to community college, then served with the Army in Intelligence during the Korean War. After the war, Gene continued his education, eventually getting a Bachelors in Psychology, a Masters in Educational Psychology and Guidance, and finally a PhD in Counseling and Human Services.

Over the years, Gene served with the Navigators’ ministry of Colorado, worked at Deer Valley Ranch in Colorado, taught at Gordon College in Massachusetts, conducted personal assessments and team training seminars for the Air Force and Navy in Washington, D.C., was on pastoral staff at Church of the Apostles in Virginia, launched Trinity Church in Virginia, served as a Pastor of Visitation with Fourth Presbyterian Church in Maryland, and taught at Montgomery College in Maryland, in addition to founding The Center for Personal Growth, his own private counseling practice in Silver Spring, MD that he established with his wife, Millie, who is a licensed clinical social worker. Gene was happily married to Millie for 57 years. He loved raising his kids, Becky and Doug, who grew up being best friends and are still close to this day. Gene was pleased to become father-in-law to Doug’s wife, Margy Trimble, and to Becky’s husband, David Poole. He was also proud to be the grandfather of Josh and Jessi Poole and Calvin, Anna, and Kate Trimble. His greatest joy was that his whole family loves and serves Jesus. Gene is dearly appreciated for his ongoing study of the Bible, faithful long-term praying, teaching of numerous Sunday school classes, and pastoral ministering and counseling. He is also fondly remembered for his enjoyment of doing “Monster” wrestling with his kids and grandkids, taking frequent, long walks, building home improvements and craft projects with his family, reading the Sunday comics, sharing jokes from Reader’s Digest, listening to Orioles’ baseball on the radio, playing golf and watching pros on TV, gazing at ocean waves and clouds, painting or drawing beach scenes, and collecting shells and especially smooth stones, which he enjoyed jingling in his pocket with his coins.

We will miss his winning smile, sparking eyes, cheery words, rich singing voice, easy laugh, and welcoming handshakes and hugs...but only for a little while - until we get to continue The
LORD’s Grand Adventures together again...all because of JESUS making it possible to be adopted into God’s Family! And that is why Gene, and his family, always smile.