Gene Elphingstone

JONESBORO - Eugene "Gene" Albert Elphingstone, Ph.D., 78, of Jonesboro, passed from this life on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro.

Gene was born in LaGrange on August 19, 1943, to Aubrey and Madge Howe Elphingstone. He was a graduate of Marianna High School where he was active in many school activities including serving as president of the Student Council and a three-year letterman in football. He earned a B.S. in chemistry at Arkansas State College, master's degree at Oklahoma State University and a Ph.D. at the University of Oklahoma. While at Arkansas State College he lettered as a member of the Rifle Team. Upon graduation from Arkansas State, Gene married Frances Lightfoot in the chapel of First United Methodist Church in Jonesboro and moved to Oklahoma to begin graduate studies.

After earning his doctorate, Gene began a career as a chemist with Halliburton. Later he moved his family to Houston where he had an extensive career with Baker Petrolite. He continued his career with EXPO and Well Completion Technology and other consulting projects.

While in Houston, Gene was a member of Missouri City First United Methodist Church, where he was an active member with a Mission Team traveling to Colorado and disaster response opportunities. Gene was recently a member of Foundation United Methodist Church in Temple, Texas, where he was active assisting church members with their repairs and chores.

Gene was a general handy man, solving problems from electrical to plumbing repairs. He enjoyed carpentry, wood-working and furniture refinishing. He loved to fish and goose hunt and his love of sports lead him to coach his daughters' youth soccer and won a championship with his senior soccer team.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Valerie Elphingstone Foulis; and six siblings, Scott Sr., Madge "Sister," Jane McClendon, Donnie, Paul and Joe.

He is survived by his wife, Frances Lightfoot Elphingstone of the home; daughter, Kimberly Elphingstone of Houston; twin brother, Jerry Elphingstone, Ph.D., of Little Rock; sister, Nancy Elphingstone of Jonesboro; and seven grandchildren, Raven, Hayleigh, Samantha, Mason, Summer, Solomon and Max.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 28, in the Soward Chapel of First United Methodist Church in Jonesboro. The family suggests wearing a reminder of one of his favorite pastimes, fishing.

Memorial possibilities include St. Jude Research Hospital, ASU Foundation Elphingstone Family Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1990, State University, 72467 or a charity of your choice.

Online registry at www.emersonfuneralhome.com.