Eugene George Tomlinson, 91, of 96 Causeway Drive, Saint Marys, died 8:00 P.M. Friday, February 24, 2017, at Otterbein Saint Marys Retirement Community.

He was born November 22, 1925, the son of Elwood and Ruby (George) Tomlinson, who preceded him in death. On August 3, 1956, he married Alice Elizabeth Gribbin, with Reverend Dwight Woodworth presiding at Tipp City. Alice preceded him in death on January 10, 2010.

He is survived by his two sons: Dr. Timothy (Lori) Tomlinson of Twin Falls, Idaho; Thomas (Christine) Tomlinson of Cridersville.

He is also survived by his grandchildren: Bethany (Andrew) Lhamon; Andrea (Judah) LoVato; Joel (fiance Jeena Shah) Tomlinson; Ashley Tomlinson; by his great-grandchildren: Jacob and Josie Lhamon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and by a brother, Robert Tomlinson.

Gene was baptized at Southside Christian Church, Lima. He completed catechism at Wesley Methodist Church, Lima. He was inducted as an elder at First Presbyterian Church, Union City. was a communicant of Forest Park United Methodist Church, Lima, and died as a member of Wayne Street United Methodist Church, Saint Marys.

In 1943, during WW II, Gene enlisted in the US Naval V-5 program, but was transferred into the US Naval V-12 college program for two years of college at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. He attended USNR Midshipman School, Fort Sehyler, New York. He completed one year of electronic technical schools at Wright Jr. College, Chicago; Great Lakes Training Center; Illinois; and Naval Research Lab, Washington, D.C.

Gene was a  “plank holder” in the commissioning of the USS Bryce Canyon AD-36 for the Korean War, and served as an electronic technician on that vessel in Japanese and Korean waters.

Gene graduated from Lima South High School in 1943. He completed college at Ohio Northern University, with a degree in Electrical Engineering, 1948; and with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, 1949. Later, he completed Studies of Industrial Engineering from International Correspondence Schools, Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Gene was registered as a Professional Engineer in Ohio, with qualifications in both electrical and mechanical engineering. He was inducted into honorary engineering fraternities Nu Theta Kappa and Tau Beta Pi.

In 1943, Gene worked as a machinist at Lima Locomotive Works when that company was completing contracts for Sherman Tanks of WW II. He was a draftsman in diesel engineering at Lima-Hamilton Corporation when that company was trying to produce engines for the diesel automotive market. He became a draftsman for Anchor Hocking in 1949, at Lancaster, Ohio; and worked as a manufacturing engineer for Westinghouse Small Motor Division facilities at Lima, Ohio; Bellefontaine; and Union City, Indiana from 1951 to 1963 and later from 1972-75.

He was a manufacturing engineer for Lima Electric from 1975-76.

Gene had been a co-owner of Dayton Embossed Products, Dayton, Ohio; and a co-owner o Tomlinson Brake and Spring, Lima. For the Brake and Spring Company, served as manager of Tomlinson Truck Division. Gene ended his business career as co-owner and manager of Tomlinson Automotive in Saint Marys.

He was a life member of the American Legion and VFW. He had been a member of the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers; American Society of Tool and Manufacturing Engineers; Lima Management Association; and past president of Union City Management Association.

Funeral rites will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday, March 3, 2107, at Wayne Street United Methodist Church in Saint Marys, Pastor Dillon Staas, officiant. Graveside burial rites will be held at 3:00 P.M. at Lima Memorial Park Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Thursday at the Miller Funeral Home, 1605 Celina Road, Saint Marys, where memorial donations may be given to Wayne Street United Methodist Church. Condolences may be sent to Gene’s family via Millerfuneralhomes.net

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