Alfred Eugene "Gene" Bruington, 87, passed away in Albuquerque Saturday, February 24, 2001, after a long and courageous battle with emphysema. He was born on November 27, 1913 in Wichita Falls, TX to George H. and Rowena Bruington. He is survived by his children, Stephanie Segura and husband, Floyd of White Rock, Fay Beals and husband, Bard of Albuquerque, and Terry E. Bruington and wife, Dwayla of Gilbert, AZ; six grandchildren; brothers, George Bruington of Albuquerque, John Bruington and wife, Flo of Albuquerque, and Charles Bruington and wife, Dorothy of Kingman, AZ. He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Helen Marjorie (Terry) Bruington; his parents; his brothers, James, Robert, and Grafton Bruington; sister, Rowena Sherwood; and an infant brother and sister. Gene was raised near Santa Fe, NM and graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1932. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1942 and rose to the rank of Major while serving in the China-Burma-India Theater during WWII and in the Korean War. Gene was honorably discharged in 1953 and was employed by the Zia Company in Los Alamos from 1953 to 1979. He was a member of the church of Christ Congregations in Los Alamos and in Santa Fe. A once avid fisherman and lover of the great outdoors, Gene always expressed that any day could be better if one was on a mountain stream or in the woods. He was also a passionate "collector of stuff". After his retirement, he and Helen moved to Santa Fe and lived there for 20 years. In 1999, he moved to Albuquerque to live with his much loved older brother, George, who took the most marvelous care of him for almost the last two years of Gene's life. They were quite a team. The family wishes to express their deep appreciation for the loving and wonderful care given to Gene by the staff at the Albuquerque Manor Nursing Care facility during the last days of his life. Your kindness will always be remembered. Because of Gene's great passion to help disadvantaged/disabled children and adults, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Albuquerque Children's Home, Manuelito Navajo Children's Home in Gallup, Albuquerque Help for the Homeless or the charity of your choice. Cremation has taken place. Interment of cremains will take place Monday, March 12, 2001, 2:00 p.m., at Santa Fe National Cemetery, with a reception to follow at the Radisson in Santa Fe.

Information furnished by Jim Beals