Gene Pulley

Gene "Jesse" Pulley, 79, of Cape Girardeau passed away Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, at Southeast Hospital.

Born to Georgia Pulley on May 10, 1943, he grew up in McClure, Illinois, and attended Shawnee High School. While at Shawnee, he enjoyed playing the tuba in the band and continued playing as part of the Golden Eagles marching band while attending Southeast Missouri State University. He studied education and met his future wife, Judy, at the university. He returned to Southeast to earn his master's degree in counseling.

Gene and Judy married Christmas Eve in 1966 at First Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau. They spent the early years of their marriage caring for and riding horses.

Gene spent most of his career at Shawnee High School teaching history, government, economics, sociology and psychology. He served as guidance counselor in the last few years of his career until his retirement in 2004 after 38 years of dedication and service. He often told stories of students and teachers, and was proud of his work at the school. Upon his retirement, he spent time caring for his father-in-law.

He was a loving father to son Jeff and daughter Kim. He welcomed John Spear into the family as a son-in-law. One of his happiest days was welcoming grandson Max into the world. Gene and Max have been best buddies ever since.

Gene volunteered for baseball and flag football, coaching son Jeff. He found his passion in life after signing his son up for a new soccer league that had started in town. The league needed volunteers, and he stepped up as a coach, groundskeeper, referee or whatever was needed. He was part of a group of wonderful volunteers who formed CAYSA (Cape Area Youth Soccer Association) that provided an opportunity for all children to play soccer in Cape Girardeau for over 30 years.

Throughout these years, he served CAYSA in many ways on the board, but his defining role was that of referee coordinator. He became a certified referee instructor and district administrator through the U.S. Soccer Federation. He taught hundreds of kids and adults the laws of the game and the importance of appearance and common sense while on the field. He understood that the point of youth sports was for children to have fun and to want to come back and play again the next season. He enjoyed watching referees improve their skills, and met many incredible people in this role, with several still involved in soccer today. Gene was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from Cape Parks and Recreation in 2015 for his dedication to youth sports.

Soccer became the family business, with Judy serving the role of ultimate soccer mom. Both children followed his footsteps into volunteering, refereeing and coaching. Kim continues as coach and referee. Jeff continues officiating at the youth, high school and collegiate levels. Gene enjoyed watching Jeff referee at the highest levels of competition, always cheering for his son and dissecting the calls made on the field. He also loved watching Max play soccer.

Gene and Judy loved attending concerts together. He played slow-pitch softball for many years, pitching for both city and church teams. He was able to share the field with both of his children before hanging up his glove for good. He and Judy were active members of the Velo Girardeau bicycle club and enjoyed riding together. The club was integral in the establishment of the LaCroix Trail, and he was involved in this effort.

A family tradition began after the blizzard in 1979, and he looked forward to it every year. They started building a snowman on the Fourth of July each year with snow saved from the winter.

In recent years, Parkinson's disease had affected his mobility, but he was able to meet new friends and get some exercise through the Parkinson's boxing and exercise program.

May Gene be remembered as loving husband, dad and grandfather, a lifelong teacher, volunteer and friend.

Loving survivors include his wife of 56 years, Judy Pulley; son, Jeff Pulley (Nikki Goodwin-Caldwell); daughter, Kim (John) Spear; grandson, Max Spear; along with several cousins.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at First Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at the church, with Pastor Wesley Tew officiating. Burial will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to Gene Pulley Memorial Fund at First Missouri State Bank, 2 S. Mount Auburn Road, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703. The fund will benefit youth soccer referees and other things soccer-related locally.

Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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