Melvin Eugene "Gene" Dewell

1931 - 2017

Melvin Eugene "Gene" Dewell

Cary

Melvin Eugene "Gene" Dewell, 86, of Cary, NC, passed away on Monday August 14, 2017. The son of Elvin Maston Dewell and Thelma Myers Dewell, Gene was born in Newport News, VA, on March 21, 1931. At the age of seventeen, he was the first Dewell in several generations to attend college. His college studies were interrupted by service in the U.S. Air Force at the end of the Korean War. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 1957 with a bachelor's degree in biology. Gene subsequently graduated with a doctorate in chiropractic and studied human anatomy at the graduate school of Indiana University. For nine years Gene taught anatomy at Lincoln Chiropractic College in Indianapolis, IN. In 1967, due to his mathematical skill and aptitude tests, Gene was hired by IBM who trained him to begin a new career as a computer engineer. During his twenty-four years with IBM Gene published several articles and received various awards for his contributions to the pioneering field of Information Technology. Retiring in 1991 Gene spent his retirement serving at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, traveling internationally, and researching genealogy which culminated in his book, Beside the Waters, which traces his family tree back to 17th century Virginia. He is survived by his loving sister, Elizabeth Knies; daughter, Donna (Dave), and sons, Paul (Terri), and Keith (Rachel); 16 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 2:00pm at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 221 Union Street, Cary, NC. A reception for family and friends will follow the service. Flowers may be sent to the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Heifer International at www.heifer.org.