Clarence Eugene Bass

Clarence Eugene (Gene) Bass Resident of San Leandro Clarence Eugene (Gene) Bass, an active volunteer for social causes in San Leandro, died peacefully on April 30 at home surrounded by his wife and children after a 3.5 year courageous battled against lymphoma. He was 83. Gene was born in McCamey, Texas, the youngest of four children born to Lewis Bass and Nora Adkisson. Gene met the love of his life, Joyce, at church. They married in 1951 and moved east to Baltimore for Gene to attend Army Intelligence school. After an honorable discharge, Gene and Joyce settled in back in the Bay Area, where they raised their children, Jan & Ed. Gene worked over 40 years in the drug and pharmacy industry in merchandising. In his retirement, Gene took the many business skills he developed during his professional career and used them in his work with his church, the Interfaith Homelessness Network (IHN) and Building Futures with Women & Children (BFWC). Gene's dedication, passion and hard work helped all these organizations develop and thrive. He loved to work directly with clients and as well as with the organizations. Gene was diagnosed with lymphoma in the fall of 2009. The diagnosis was painful to hear, but Gene faced his cancer with great courage. During two long periods of remission, he resumed his passionate work for the church and for IHN and BFWC. To the end, he was concerned about how the work would continue on after he was no longer able to be actively involved. On May 2, Gene was honored posthumously for his work with Building Futures with Women & Children, an organization that promotes a future free from homelessness and family violence. Gene is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joyce; his daughter, Jan (David) his son, Ed (Patti). Gene is also survived by his brother, Jerry, his only grandchild, Kern, and several nieces and nephews. Gene's brother, Jim, and sister, Alice, predeceased him. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 10th at 2 pm at Eden United Church of Christ at 21455 Birch Street, Hayward. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Building Futures with Women & Children, 1395 Bancroft Avenue, San Leandro. www.bfwc.org