Gerald Gene Aulick August 12, 1921-July 27, 1994.

Born in Winfield, KS, to Roscoe Ratliffe Aulick and Edna Ethel Evans. Gerald had three brothers, Donald, Roscoe, and Burton.

Gene graduated in Oklahoma from Covington High School in 1938, and joined the U.S. Navy. He served in the Pacific Theater during World War II and also in Korea and was a member of the Silver Eagles.

He and Etta Mae Hoy were married on Jan. 1, 1943 and had four children, Roy Gene (deceased), Linnetta Marlene (Neil), Paul Girard, Patricia Gail (Wallis).

Grandchildren include, Lenette Neil Hall, Ray Dean Neil, Marti Aulick, Ben Aulick, Andrew Wallis, Emily Wallis Russell.

After retiring from the Navy, Gene, Etta Mae and the children moved to Springfield, MO and owned a Dairy Sweet for a short time. Gene enrolled in college and began teaching shop and mathematics at Fordland High School. After he retired from teaching he worked briefly for the US Postal Service and retired to his farm Dunsailen, in Fordland MO.

Gene was a talented artist, engineer, outdoors man, he loved to fly, swim and party. He loved Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, square dancing and jokes. He loved animals and had a variety of pets including dogs, a goat, squirrel and participated in turtle rescue.

I miss you Grandpa!

Here's a poem that grandson Andy Wallis wrote:

FOR AN OLD PILOT

Cancer has grounded you.
This earth holds you fast to its belly.
Spine full of pain.
A river digs deep in the canyon of your soul.

Body bleached of hue.
White, the color of sheets that hold you down.
Warning, lights flashing.....
Low fuel, low fuel.

Sputtering your spirit.
Pneumonia grabs hold of your lungs.
Your oxygen mask removed.
Eject. Nothing holds you down.

A silver eagle soaring.
Nothing holds you down.