Eugene O. Arnett, aged 94 years, born on 4 March 1932, passed away peacefully at Lakebridge long term care facility in Johnson City TN on Sunday, 19 April 2026.
Born in Mistletoe KY, he was the oldest of nine children, born to Arthur and Ida Arnett, both deceased. He is survived by his son, Michael (Jackie), daughter Cathy (fiancée Kevin), sister Rhea (Bob) Williams, and more than 40 nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and nephews and great-grand nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Wilma Jane (Brandenburg) Arnett, a stillborn daughter, son-in-law Gary Turnipseed, special niece Cathy Arnold, his parents, and 7 siblings, Irvin, Lovella,
Annalee, Douglas, Bud, Joe and Roy, as well as other extended family members.
Gene grew up in rural KY, where his family managed the farm for the Oneida Baptist Institute in Oneida KY. Following graduation from high school, he taught in a one-room schoolhouse, mainly for 2 families, until his enlistment in the military in the early 50's. The story goes, his friend wanted to enlist and convinced Gene to do so also, then the friend backed out at the last minute but Gene did not.
He served his country faithfully, stationed in Korea during the Korean War and in Thailand during the Vietnam War. The United States Air Force moved him frequently, taking our family to Fort Campbell, where Mike was born, then to San Antonio, a stop in between assignments for Cathy to be born in Oneida Kentucky, then on to Sevilla Spain, multiple locations in Ohio, Spokane Washington, Tehran Iran, and finally to Eglin Air Force Base on the Gulf Coast, where he retired as a Chief Master Sergeant, the highest rank attainable as an enlisted member of the force.
Following retirement, Gene took a civil service job with the United States Navy and spent 3 years in Guantanamo Bay Cuba. Mom joined him, and they had a close circle of friends who would go fishing, feed iguanas, and enjoy each others' company. They stayed in touch with those friends for many years afterwards.
Leaving Cuba, Gene and Jane settled in Jacksonville FL, where he worked at Mayport Naval Air Station until his second retirement. During that time, they would spend weekends visiting North Carolina, until one day they ventured over to east TN and saw a property in Greeneville that appealed, called the owners, and bought it same day.
Dad's next mission was to be a builder. Always being an excellent carpenter, he was comfortable with being the builder of his own house in TN, hiring a local crew whom he took very good care of, and who were devoted to him for years. Amongst them, they built and renovated houses for many people, including Roger Meyers, Lynn Easterly, Daniel and Rhonda Meyers, Noelle and David Smith, and Craig Easterly. Some of those people have passed on, but many remain devoted friends.
Gene was a humble man with a good sense of humor. He loved "pulling your leg" to see what kind of reaction he could get, which he usually did. He loved family and friends, and Cracker Barrel, where we think he put most of the servers through college through his generous nature.
Special thanks go out to Candace Lamb and Laurie Gray. Candace was his first "sitter" who would be with him during the week to fix his lunch and dinner to avoid burning the house down. When Candace decided she wanted to fly more than babysit, Noelle Smith brought Laurie into our lives, who has been an absolute Godsend, and we can never thank both of them enough for loving and caring for him.
Eugene is in a better place now, where his mind and body are restored, and he's reunited with his family and his best partner, his little dog Jack.
Gene loved going to the annual Homecoming at the Oneida Baptist Institute in Oneida Kentucky. In lieu of flowers, please consider sending donations to the Oneida Baptist Institute, at oneidaschool.org.
The family will receive friends Saturday, May 9,2026 from 3-4 pm with a memorial service to follow at Jeffers Funeral Service downtown. Interment will be Sunday, May 10, 2026 at 1 pm in Shepard Cemetery in Booneville KY.
