SHIELDS,EUGENE L.
2011-06-22
85
20
******
EUGENE LEONARD SHIELDS
Eugene (Gene) Leonard Shields passed away at home on Wednesday, June 15, 2011. Gene was born September 7, 1919 in Walla Walla to Frank and Bessie (Jones) Shields. Gene had three brothers, Walt, Fred and Ray. The family moved to Yakima on Gene's 13th birthday in 1932. Gene attended Franklin Junior High and graduated from Yakima High School. After high school Gene attended YVCC and the University of Washington, leaving college in his junior year to become an Army Air Cadet. Gene moved to Santa Maria, CA where he taught flying and later during World War II he flew C46 airplanes, transporting gasoline from India to China over the hump in the Himalayas to support the effort.
After the war Gene returned to Yakima and worked with his brother Walt at the family business, Rainier Printing, which went on to publish the Appleland News and The Goodfruit Grower. It was on the advice of his father that Gene decided to enter the plastic bag business to help the fruit shipping industry. Walt left soon after to join the Traffic Association leaving Gene to run Rainier Printing. Through hard work and dedicated employees Rainer Printing became Shields Bag and Printing, coincidentally Shields still supplies its very first customer Gilbert Orchards with bags.
Gene married Gwen Barbara Clarke on April 9 1943; together they had one adventure after another. Gene's son William Robert (Bill) was born on January 11, 1947. The family spent these early years at their cabin near Bumping Lake, in the mountains and boating on the Desert Eagle in the San Juan Islands. Gene's family grew when Bill and Gloria (Huff) Hutchinson gave birth to Lisa and Pat. Gwen passed away in 1982.
Gene married his second wife Ileen Simonson Shields in 1983. This marriage allowed Gene an extended family with the addition of Ileen's children Jimmy, Ingrid and Kristy. More grandchildren joined the family with Kristin, Philip, and Erika. Ileen passed away suddenly in 2000.Towards the end of Gene's life he found a companion Felicia Holtzinger. They shared more adventures, friendships and memories until his passing. The family would like to thank Felicia for bringing love and happiness into Gene's life these last few years.
Gene also surrounded himself with many close friends. He loved to talk about times together, their families, the Valley, business and how fortunate they all had been. Many families in the Valley made Gene's life full and the family thanks each and every one of you, what a blessing this community has been.
Gene was a simple man who was modest, humble and appreciative. Gene took great pride in mentoring others in a quiet way throughout his lifetime. Gene did not like attention and preferred to lead from the sidelines and took pride in the results. Gene was very proud of his business and his family: his legacy will live on through both.
Gene was very involved in the community at the Yakima Arboretum, Greenway, Perry Tech, Kiwanis, Elks, Yakima Planning Commission, Yakima Chamber of Commerce, New Vision, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Yakima Valley Museum, KYVE, YMCA, YWCA, Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital and many others throughout the years. Gene was a founding member of the Memorial Foundation and helped Chair the initial Children's Village Capital Campaign. Gene also served on Boards throughout the Northwest including Pacific Power/PacifiCorp. Gene was the recipient in 1990 of the Distinguished Alumnus Award from YVCC, 1994 Silver Beaver Award from Boy Scouts, 1996 Lifetime Achievement Award from KYVE Television, 1999 Ted Robertson Community Service Award and most recently participated in the dedication of a building at Perry Tech in his honor.
Gene was preceded in death by his wives, Gwen and Ileen, his brothers Walt, Fred and Ray, his parents Frank & Bessie, Gwen's siblings Jean, Rhea & Owen, Gwen's father Dr. Clark, his step¬mother Goldie Shields and his niece Becky Shields Patton.
Gene is survived by his son Bill Shields, Ileen's children Kristy (Paul) Larson, Jimmy Simonson, Ingrid Simonson, his grandchildren Lisa Shields Long (Brad), Pat Shields, Kristin Larson Richardson (Dave), Philip Larson (Janine), Erika Larson, his great-grandchildren Kayla, Hunter and Peyton Long, Blake and Braydon Shields, Anika and Natalie Richardson, and numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of Gene's life will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, June 20th at The Yakima Museum. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Gene's name to Memorial Foundation, Yakima Arboretum or The Yakima Museum.
2011-06-22
85
20
******
EUGENE LEONARD SHIELDS
Eugene (Gene) Leonard Shields passed away at home on Wednesday, June 15, 2011. Gene was born September 7, 1919 in Walla Walla to Frank and Bessie (Jones) Shields. Gene had three brothers, Walt, Fred and Ray. The family moved to Yakima on Gene's 13th birthday in 1932. Gene attended Franklin Junior High and graduated from Yakima High School. After high school Gene attended YVCC and the University of Washington, leaving college in his junior year to become an Army Air Cadet. Gene moved to Santa Maria, CA where he taught flying and later during World War II he flew C46 airplanes, transporting gasoline from India to China over the hump in the Himalayas to support the effort.
After the war Gene returned to Yakima and worked with his brother Walt at the family business, Rainier Printing, which went on to publish the Appleland News and The Goodfruit Grower. It was on the advice of his father that Gene decided to enter the plastic bag business to help the fruit shipping industry. Walt left soon after to join the Traffic Association leaving Gene to run Rainier Printing. Through hard work and dedicated employees Rainer Printing became Shields Bag and Printing, coincidentally Shields still supplies its very first customer Gilbert Orchards with bags.
Gene married Gwen Barbara Clarke on April 9 1943; together they had one adventure after another. Gene's son William Robert (Bill) was born on January 11, 1947. The family spent these early years at their cabin near Bumping Lake, in the mountains and boating on the Desert Eagle in the San Juan Islands. Gene's family grew when Bill and Gloria (Huff) Hutchinson gave birth to Lisa and Pat. Gwen passed away in 1982.
Gene married his second wife Ileen Simonson Shields in 1983. This marriage allowed Gene an extended family with the addition of Ileen's children Jimmy, Ingrid and Kristy. More grandchildren joined the family with Kristin, Philip, and Erika. Ileen passed away suddenly in 2000.Towards the end of Gene's life he found a companion Felicia Holtzinger. They shared more adventures, friendships and memories until his passing. The family would like to thank Felicia for bringing love and happiness into Gene's life these last few years.
Gene also surrounded himself with many close friends. He loved to talk about times together, their families, the Valley, business and how fortunate they all had been. Many families in the Valley made Gene's life full and the family thanks each and every one of you, what a blessing this community has been.
Gene was a simple man who was modest, humble and appreciative. Gene took great pride in mentoring others in a quiet way throughout his lifetime. Gene did not like attention and preferred to lead from the sidelines and took pride in the results. Gene was very proud of his business and his family: his legacy will live on through both.
Gene was very involved in the community at the Yakima Arboretum, Greenway, Perry Tech, Kiwanis, Elks, Yakima Planning Commission, Yakima Chamber of Commerce, New Vision, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Yakima Valley Museum, KYVE, YMCA, YWCA, Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital and many others throughout the years. Gene was a founding member of the Memorial Foundation and helped Chair the initial Children's Village Capital Campaign. Gene also served on Boards throughout the Northwest including Pacific Power/PacifiCorp. Gene was the recipient in 1990 of the Distinguished Alumnus Award from YVCC, 1994 Silver Beaver Award from Boy Scouts, 1996 Lifetime Achievement Award from KYVE Television, 1999 Ted Robertson Community Service Award and most recently participated in the dedication of a building at Perry Tech in his honor.
Gene was preceded in death by his wives, Gwen and Ileen, his brothers Walt, Fred and Ray, his parents Frank & Bessie, Gwen's siblings Jean, Rhea & Owen, Gwen's father Dr. Clark, his step¬mother Goldie Shields and his niece Becky Shields Patton.
Gene is survived by his son Bill Shields, Ileen's children Kristy (Paul) Larson, Jimmy Simonson, Ingrid Simonson, his grandchildren Lisa Shields Long (Brad), Pat Shields, Kristin Larson Richardson (Dave), Philip Larson (Janine), Erika Larson, his great-grandchildren Kayla, Hunter and Peyton Long, Blake and Braydon Shields, Anika and Natalie Richardson, and numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of Gene's life will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, June 20th at The Yakima Museum. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Gene's name to Memorial Foundation, Yakima Arboretum or The Yakima Museum.
SHIELDS,EUGENE L.
2011-06-22
85
20
******
EUGENE LEONARD SHIELDS
Eugene (Gene) Leonard Shields passed away at home on Wednesday, June 15, 2011. Gene was born September 7, 1919 in Walla Walla to Frank and Bessie (Jones) Shields. Gene had three brothers, Walt, Fred and Ray. The family moved to Yakima on Gene's 13th birthday in 1932. Gene attended Franklin Junior High and graduated from Yakima High School. After high school Gene attended YVCC and the University of Washington, leaving college in his junior year to become an Army Air Cadet. Gene moved to Santa Maria, CA where he taught flying and later during World War II he flew C46 airplanes, transporting gasoline from India to China over the hump in the Himalayas to support the effort.
After the war Gene returned to Yakima and worked with his brother Walt at the family business, Rainier Printing, which went on to publish the Appleland News and The Goodfruit Grower. It was on the advice of his father that Gene decided to enter the plastic bag business to help the fruit shipping industry. Walt left soon after to join the Traffic Association leaving Gene to run Rainier Printing. Through hard work and dedicated employees Rainer Printing became Shields Bag and Printing, coincidentally Shields still supplies its very first customer Gilbert Orchards with bags.
Gene married Gwen Barbara Clarke on April 9 1943; together they had one adventure after another. Gene's son William Robert (Bill) was born on January 11, 1947. The family spent these early years at their cabin near Bumping Lake, in the mountains and boating on the Desert Eagle in the San Juan Islands. Gene's family grew when Bill and Gloria (Huff) Hutchinson gave birth to Lisa and Pat. Gwen passed away in 1982.
Gene married his second wife Ileen Simonson Shields in 1983. This marriage allowed Gene an extended family with the addition of Ileen's children Jimmy, Ingrid and Kristy. More grandchildren joined the family with Kristin, Philip, and Erika. Ileen passed away suddenly in 2000.Towards the end of Gene's life he found a companion Felicia Holtzinger. They shared more adventures, friendships and memories until his passing. The family would like to thank Felicia for bringing love and happiness into Gene's life these last few years.
Gene also surrounded himself with many close friends. He loved to talk about times together, their families, the Valley, business and how fortunate they all had been. Many families in the Valley made Gene's life full and the family thanks each and every one of you, what a blessing this community has been.
Gene was a simple man who was modest, humble and appreciative. Gene took great pride in mentoring others in a quiet way throughout his lifetime. Gene did not like attention and preferred to lead from the sidelines and took pride in the results. Gene was very proud of his business and his family: his legacy will live on through both.
Gene was very involved in the community at the Yakima Arboretum, Greenway, Perry Tech, Kiwanis, Elks, Yakima Planning Commission, Yakima Chamber of Commerce, New Vision, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Yakima Valley Museum, KYVE, YMCA, YWCA, Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital and many others throughout the years. Gene was a founding member of the Memorial Foundation and helped Chair the initial Children's Village Capital Campaign. Gene also served on Boards throughout the Northwest including Pacific Power/PacifiCorp. Gene was the recipient in 1990 of the Distinguished Alumnus Award from YVCC, 1994 Silver Beaver Award from Boy Scouts, 1996 Lifetime Achievement Award from KYVE Television, 1999 Ted Robertson Community Service Award and most recently participated in the dedication of a building at Perry Tech in his honor.
Gene was preceded in death by his wives, Gwen and Ileen, his brothers Walt, Fred and Ray, his parents Frank & Bessie, Gwen's siblings Jean, Rhea & Owen, Gwen's father Dr. Clark, his step¬mother Goldie Shields and his niece Becky Shields Patton.
Gene is survived by his son Bill Shields, Ileen's children Kristy (Paul) Larson, Jimmy Simonson, Ingrid Simonson, his grandchildren Lisa Shields Long (Brad), Pat Shields, Kristin Larson Richardson (Dave), Philip Larson (Janine), Erika Larson, his great-grandchildren Kayla, Hunter and Peyton Long, Blake and Braydon Shields, Anika and Natalie Richardson, and numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of Gene's life will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, June 20th at The Yakima Museum. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Gene's name to Memorial Foundation, Yakima Arboretum or The Yakima Museum.
2011-06-22
85
20
******
EUGENE LEONARD SHIELDS
Eugene (Gene) Leonard Shields passed away at home on Wednesday, June 15, 2011. Gene was born September 7, 1919 in Walla Walla to Frank and Bessie (Jones) Shields. Gene had three brothers, Walt, Fred and Ray. The family moved to Yakima on Gene's 13th birthday in 1932. Gene attended Franklin Junior High and graduated from Yakima High School. After high school Gene attended YVCC and the University of Washington, leaving college in his junior year to become an Army Air Cadet. Gene moved to Santa Maria, CA where he taught flying and later during World War II he flew C46 airplanes, transporting gasoline from India to China over the hump in the Himalayas to support the effort.
After the war Gene returned to Yakima and worked with his brother Walt at the family business, Rainier Printing, which went on to publish the Appleland News and The Goodfruit Grower. It was on the advice of his father that Gene decided to enter the plastic bag business to help the fruit shipping industry. Walt left soon after to join the Traffic Association leaving Gene to run Rainier Printing. Through hard work and dedicated employees Rainer Printing became Shields Bag and Printing, coincidentally Shields still supplies its very first customer Gilbert Orchards with bags.
Gene married Gwen Barbara Clarke on April 9 1943; together they had one adventure after another. Gene's son William Robert (Bill) was born on January 11, 1947. The family spent these early years at their cabin near Bumping Lake, in the mountains and boating on the Desert Eagle in the San Juan Islands. Gene's family grew when Bill and Gloria (Huff) Hutchinson gave birth to Lisa and Pat. Gwen passed away in 1982.
Gene married his second wife Ileen Simonson Shields in 1983. This marriage allowed Gene an extended family with the addition of Ileen's children Jimmy, Ingrid and Kristy. More grandchildren joined the family with Kristin, Philip, and Erika. Ileen passed away suddenly in 2000.Towards the end of Gene's life he found a companion Felicia Holtzinger. They shared more adventures, friendships and memories until his passing. The family would like to thank Felicia for bringing love and happiness into Gene's life these last few years.
Gene also surrounded himself with many close friends. He loved to talk about times together, their families, the Valley, business and how fortunate they all had been. Many families in the Valley made Gene's life full and the family thanks each and every one of you, what a blessing this community has been.
Gene was a simple man who was modest, humble and appreciative. Gene took great pride in mentoring others in a quiet way throughout his lifetime. Gene did not like attention and preferred to lead from the sidelines and took pride in the results. Gene was very proud of his business and his family: his legacy will live on through both.
Gene was very involved in the community at the Yakima Arboretum, Greenway, Perry Tech, Kiwanis, Elks, Yakima Planning Commission, Yakima Chamber of Commerce, New Vision, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Yakima Valley Museum, KYVE, YMCA, YWCA, Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital and many others throughout the years. Gene was a founding member of the Memorial Foundation and helped Chair the initial Children's Village Capital Campaign. Gene also served on Boards throughout the Northwest including Pacific Power/PacifiCorp. Gene was the recipient in 1990 of the Distinguished Alumnus Award from YVCC, 1994 Silver Beaver Award from Boy Scouts, 1996 Lifetime Achievement Award from KYVE Television, 1999 Ted Robertson Community Service Award and most recently participated in the dedication of a building at Perry Tech in his honor.
Gene was preceded in death by his wives, Gwen and Ileen, his brothers Walt, Fred and Ray, his parents Frank & Bessie, Gwen's siblings Jean, Rhea & Owen, Gwen's father Dr. Clark, his step¬mother Goldie Shields and his niece Becky Shields Patton.
Gene is survived by his son Bill Shields, Ileen's children Kristy (Paul) Larson, Jimmy Simonson, Ingrid Simonson, his grandchildren Lisa Shields Long (Brad), Pat Shields, Kristin Larson Richardson (Dave), Philip Larson (Janine), Erika Larson, his great-grandchildren Kayla, Hunter and Peyton Long, Blake and Braydon Shields, Anika and Natalie Richardson, and numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of Gene's life will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, June 20th at The Yakima Museum. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Gene's name to Memorial Foundation, Yakima Arboretum or The Yakima Museum.
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