Eugene "Gene" R. Garbe

February 29, 1944 - May 10, 2020

Eugene R. Garbe (“Gene”), passed away peacefully on May 10, 2020, surrounded by family and his loving wife. Gene was born on February 29, 1944, in St. Joseph, MO the son of Ralph and Elva Garbe. He had one sister, Nancy Wooten, who preceded him in death. Gene was raised on the family farm in Cosby, Missouri and graduated high school from Savannah High School in 1962. He worked at the General Motors fairfax plant for 36 years. Gene married Beth Thompson from Harveyville, Kansas on April 11, 1980. They welcomed 40 years of marriage in April of 2020. After retiring from General Motors, Gene went on to drive a school bus for 13 years. Gene was respected and admired by co-workers, teachers and school children who rode his bus. Everyone who knew Gene considered him a friend. Gene's hobbies included carpentry, gardening, hunting and fishing. He was a lover of animals, a mechanic and an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan. He enjoyed grilling, attending NASCAR & Indy car races, assisting with Boy Scout Troop 1393 from Parkville, MO and going to summer camps at the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation where he was an Honorary Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Gene is survived by his wife, Beth Garbe; 3 children: Jill Chaney, Jason Moehlman (wife Jennifer), and Kelley Creek (husband CJ); 6 grandchildren: Amanda Knight (husband Quintin); Richard Andrade, Tyler Richardson, Grant Richardson, Truman Moehlman, and Heidi Garbe; and 3 great-grandchildren: Quintin Knight Jr, Sylas Knight, and Noa Andrade. Gene was preceded in death by his son, Michael Garbe. A visitation will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2020, 1:00 PM at the Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 3800 N.E. Parvin Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64117. The visitation will be followed by a celebration of life at 2:00 PM. A private internment of Gene's ashes at his family cemetery in Cosby, MO will be held at a later date. Gene battled Cerebral Vascular Dementia and Parkinson’s disease for 7 years. While he will be missed, his family takes solace in knowing his suffering has ended. He is loved and missed terribly. In lieu of flowers, please make charitable donations to the Northland Shepherd's Center or Boy Scout Troop 1393 in Parkville, Missouri.