Eugene Gene Sullivan Dunifon

Services for Eugene Gene Sullivan Dunifon, Age 83, of Thonotosassa, Fl will be held at First United Methodist Church, 425 N. Broad St., Thomasville, Ga, on Saturday, May 8th, 2:00 PM. Rev. Bob Dixon will officiate. Mr. Dunifon passed on April 23, 2010, in Plant City, FL. He was born on March 16, 1927 in Fort Wayne, IN. He was married to Barbara L. Sheak March 28, 1948 in North Manchester, IN. He began 48-year newspaper advertising career with the Ft Wayne Journal Gazette, where he met Barbara and he served in the Indiana State Guard. Gene worked at various Midwestern and Florida newspapers before coming to Thomasville in the mid 1970?s. He retired from the Thomasville Times-Enterprise as the advertising director, in 1992. After leaving the paper, Gene became the executive director of the United Way of Thomas County from 1992 to 2002. He served as Downtown Thomasville Inc, president and received the Thomasville-Thomas County Chamber of Commerce?s distinguished service award, was a member of First United Methodist Church in Thomasville and served on various committees over the years. After moving to Florida in 2005, Gene attended Cork United Methodist Church in Plant City. Gene was a lifelong Republican, a political and US history buff, and loved to educate all on both topics. Gene was passionate about the Boy Scouts. He held a variety of positions through the years including Chaplin. He received numerous awards including the Order of the Arrow, the Wood Badge, the Silver Beaver, the James E. West Fellowship Award, the Torch and Flame Award and the God and Service Award. He served on the Eagle Scout review board and had the adventure of Philmont Scout Ranch. He enjoyed attending camporees at Camp Piney Woods and Wallwood. Gene also was active in the Thomasville Masonic Lodge No. 369, J.M Rushin Chapter No. 23 Royal Arch Masons, Bethlehem Commandery No. 30 Knights Templer, Hasan Temple, and Thomasville Shrine Club. Survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara, Plant City, FL, Laura Norris, daughter, Antioch, FL, Patrick Dunifon, son, Lakeland, FL, Jennifer Dunifon, granddaughter, Lakeland, FL, Jack Dunifon, brother, Fort Wayne, IN. He was a loving husband and father. Family has requested, in lieu of flowers, donations to be made to the Suwannee River Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and Children?s Hospital Committee of Hasan Temple. The family would like to thank the Boy Scouts of Thomasville and the Thomasville Masonic Lodge No. 369 for their assistance with the service. Guests may sign the online guest register at www.allenfh.com