J. Eugene Brubaker

J. Eugene "Gene" Brubaker, 85, of Topeka, passed away Friday, May 20, 2011 at Midland Hospice House in Topeka. He was born November 30, 1925 in Topeka, the son of Ernest H. and Mildred Morrow Brubaker.

He graduated from Topeka High School in 1944. Gene was a Navy veteran of WWII, serving as a Signalman Second Class. After he was discharged in 1946, he returned to Topeka and attended Washburn University and graduated from Clark's School of Business. Gene was employed by the International Harvester dealership in Topeka for 12 years and W.A.L. Thompson Hardware as credit manager. He retired from the State of Kansas Department of Administration in 1988, after 20 years of service.

Gene was a member of Oakland Christian Church and later transferred to Highland Heights Christian Church, past commander of American Legion Capitol Post No. 1, a member of Philip Billard Post No. 1650, V.F.W., the Moose Lodge No. 555, Siloam Lodge No. 225, AF & AM, Scottish Rite Bodies and the Arab Shrine, and a 50 year member of Jayhawk Area Council of Boy Scouts of America where he was awarded the Silver Beaver Award.

Gene married Susan Smith on June 15, 1947 in Topeka. She survives. Other survivors include two sons, Kenneth (Sherrie) Brubaker of New Jersey, David (Paula) Brubaker of Topeka, six grandchildren, Michael, Darin, Jon, Kellie, Christine and Mark, three great-grandchildren and his brother, Dale (Marion) Brubaker of Maryland. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant granddaughter, and sister, Donna.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery. Gene will lie in state after 3:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Children's Travel Fund c/o the Arab Shrine, 1305 S. Kansas Ave., Topeka, KS 66612 or the American Diabetes Association, 837 S. Hillside, Wichita, KS 67211.