S.  Gene Morton entered his heavenly home on August 13, 2026 at the age of 96 years. His wife Ruth was by his side in their home in Murfreesboro TN, having moved there after 61 years in Beattyville, KY. Gene was born on September 2, 1929 in Ireland, Indiana to Donald Titus Morton and Minnie Ellen Wineinger Morton.

Gene loved our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with his whole heart. He answered God’s call to ministry and was ordained by the Church of God, general offices in Anderson, IN. He pastored the Miller’s Creek Church of God, Irvine, KY, the Zoe Church of God, Zoe, KY and was interim pastor at St. Helen’s Presbyterian Church. He and Ruth also ministered as Directors of Pine Crest Youth Camp in Beattyville, KY for 10 years. He loved to sing and served as worship leader at Pine Crest Church of God and after retirement at Zoe Church of God. Linda, Connie and Carol learned to sing hymns as car rides were filled with song. Minister’s don’t retire, however and Gene continued to tell others about God’s love for them and what God had done in his life.

Gene received his bachelor’s degree in education from Anderson (College) University in Indiana. He taught one year in Van Wert, OH at Starr Commonwealth School for Boys before moving to Beattyville, KY where he taught at Lee County Middle-High School for 25 years. He continued to substitute/home teach for 16 more years after retirement.

Gene and Ruth were married for 71 years. He was devoted to her and often said, “She is the sweetest girl in the whole world!” He cherished his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, praying for each one by name. He had a wonderful sense of humor and shared it with all around him, leaving a smile on their face. He was fascinated with airplanes even as a small boy. He served in the Air Force as a B-25 airplane mechanic and later earned his single engine pilot’s license. Gene served as Commander of a Civil Air Patrol Chapter in Lee County and took many students as well as family and friends up for airplane rides.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Linda (Bob) O’Dell of Unionville, Tennessee, Carol (Garrett) Lee of St. Bernice, Indiana; Son-in-law Ron Moening of Columbia City, Indiana; five grandchildren, Joshua O’Dell, Hanna (Paul) Reagan, Daniel (Rianna) Moening, Sarah O’Dell and Adam (Jordyn) Lee; six great grandchildren, Joshua, Juliette, Jude, Rose, Faye and Saoirse; and a host of nieces and nephews whom he loved as well.

He was preceded in death by his parents, six siblings, his daughter Connie Moening and granddaughter-in-law Rebecca Garlick O’Dell.

A memorial service is planned at Rockvale Church of God, Rockvale, TN on August 21, 2026 at 4:00 pm. Burial at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to the Zoe First Church of God, 96 Zoe Church Loop, Zoe, KY 41397.