Gene Garris

Gene Garris, 64, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, March 18, 2011, at his home.

He was born Nov. 19, 1946 in Belleville, Ill., to James Harold and Irene Fauerbauch Garris. He and Janie Deweese were married Sept. 4, 1993, in Cape Girardeau.

He is a graduate of Columbia High School in Columbia, Ill., and a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Gene worked in construction as a quality assurance controller and was a member of Bethany Baptist Church and the Harold O. Grauel Lodge 672 AF & AM.

Survivors include his wife, Janie Garris of Cape Girardeau; a son, Joseph Garris of Waterloo, Ill.; a daughter, Jennifer Garris of Columbia, Ill.; two sisters, Barbara Garris and Patricia (Bill) Rauch, both of Columbia, Ill.; a grandchild, Hannah Garris; his mother- and father-in-law, Shirley and Orval Deweese of Gideon, Mo.; his sister- and brother-in-law, Stacy and Don Whitfield of Kennett, Mo.; and a sister-in-law, Regina Schaffer of Malden, Mo.

He was preceded in death by his father James Garris and mother Irene Holiday.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel with Masonic Services at 7 p.m.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with Dr. Shawn Wasson officiating.

Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis with full military rites by the Missouri Honors Team.

Memorial contributions may be given to Harold O. Grauel Masonic Lodge or the Vietnam Vet Association.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.