Charles Gene Lindsey

Memphis, TX – Services for Mr. Charles E. Gene Lindsey, 86, of Memphis, TX will be at 10:00 AM October 1, 2007 at the First Baptist Church with Rev. Daniel Downey, officiating and Rev. O.K Bowen, assisting. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Hughs Funeral Home in Memphis, Texas. Mr. Lindsey passed away Thursday, September 27, 2007 in Amarillo, TX. Gene was born on October 19, 1920 in Memphis, TX to the late Mr. H.H. Lindsey and Mrs. Hucie Kathleen Morrow Lindsey. He was a 1939 graduate of Memphis High School. He was a veteran of the United States Army Air Corp serving during World War II. While serving in the War he was a member of the 15th AAF in Italy as Staff Sgt. He flew 35 operational missions as waist turret gunner on a 15th AAF B-24 Liberator in Italy. Gene was a member of a heavy bombardment group which tallied more than 225 combat missions against strategic enemy targets in Nazi-occupied Europe. On October 13, while over Vienna, Austria, their B-24 received plenty of ack-ack fire from the ground, one shell exploding near the number four engine which was completely knocked out. The hydraulic system was ripped to pieces by exploding shells, and all the fluid leaked out. They dropped out of the formation and headed for the Partisan-held territory in Yugoslavia. The pilot nursed the wounded ship for 300 miles on two engines part of the time, and crash-landed on an emergency strip. During the nine months he served with the 15th in Italy, he won the Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Good Conduct Medal, the Mediterranean Campaign Ribbon with two battle stars for the Rome-Arno campaign and the Battle of Southern France. He flew 35 sorties and 47 missions from his base as they swept over the European Theater. He married Owen Elyne Gilmore on October 23, 1941 in Memphis, TX. She preceded him in death on December 16, 2002. Gene was the United States Postmaster from 1964 until retiring in 1982. He has served on many civic organizations such as Meals on Wheels, Memphis Housing Authority Board, Hall County School Board, Hospital Board and Memphis Country Club. He was a member for 50 plus years with the Memphis Lions Club, Masonic Lodge and the American Legion. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and served as General Secretary for 50 plus years. Gene was awarded Memphis Athletic Booster Club Fan of the Year for 2002 to 2003. He was preceded in death by one brother, Robert Lindsey. He is survived by two daughters, Pamela Clifton and husband Noel of Amarillo, TX; Mitzie Knauff and husband Jerry of Cypress, TX; two sisters, Betty McBee of Lubbock, TX; Mary Heath of San Angelo, TX; three grandchildren, Paul Clifton and wife Lori of Houston, TX; Alexis Clanton and husband David of San Antonio, TX; Lindsey Buerger and husband Bradley of Cypress, TX; great-grandchildren, Mikayla and Zachary of Amarillo, TX; Will Clanton of San Antonio, TX; step-grandchildren, Lisa Cayton and husband Bobby, Cary Overbey and wife Michelle and Cathy Ahart all of Houston, TX; J.J. Knauff and wife Debbye of Dallas, TX; step-great-grandchildren, Jordan and Taylor Cayton, Linden, Lucas and Coleman, Steven Ahart all of Houston, TX; Ava and Kate Knauff both of Dallas, TX; one sister-in-law, Doris Flynt of Dimmitt, TX; and one 102 year old aunt, Peggy Bensen of Virginia. The family will greet friends on Sunday, September 30, 2007 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00p.m. at Hughs Funeral Home. The family suggests memorials to BSA Hospice, 600 N. Tyler, Amarillo, TX 79107