Eugene “Gene” Crosby, age 72 of Rowlett, Texas, passed away Jan. 10, 2017. He was born Sept. 1, 1944, in Falmouth, Mass., to Clarence “Buddy” and Claire (Charron) Crosby. He grew up in Providence, R.I., where the family moved shortly after his birth. Gene served in the U.S. Army Reserve and was owner of Fireguard Systems in Garland, Texas. Oct. 1, 1978, Gene married Betty Hutcheson in Spruce Pine, and they shared a wonderful life. He retired in 2009 and enjoyed sailing out of Chandlers Landing, as well as traveling in his RV to all 48 contiguous states. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle.

Gene is survived by his wife Betty Hutcheson Crosby of Rowlett, Texas; sons David Crosby and wife Debbie of Rowlett, Texas, and Allen Crosby and partner Tim Webb of Aurora, Ill.; grandchildren Nicholas, Zachary and Madeline Crosby; brother Robert Masi and wife Diane of Rockledge, Fla.; sister-in-law Linda Hutcheson of Spruce Pine; sister and brother-in-law Martha and Allen Goss of Russellville; sister and brother-in-law Patti and Alan Rice of Phil Campbell; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Buddy Crosby, his mother, Claire Trimber, and a brother-in-law, Howard Hutcheson.

The family received friends at Spry Memorial Chapel in Russellville Jan. 18, 2017 from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Jan. 19 at Spry Memorial Chapel. Gene was interred at New Friendship Cemetery in Belgreen following the funeral services.

Pallbearers were Chad Hutcheson, Burt Hutcheson, Matt Hutcheson, Wade Willingham, Cody Willingham and Clint Smith.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made in Gene’s memory to the Autism Treatment Center of Dallas, 10503 Metric Drive, Dallas, TX 75243.  Donations may be made by mail or from their website at www.atcoftexas.org.