Eugene Dexter

Eugene "Gene" Dexter

Lansing

Edwin Eugene "Gene" Dexter, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend left this earth on May 15, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents, William A. and Bessie Dexter, his wife of 63 years, Ruth, and brother William Jr.  

Gene was a lifelong resident of Lansing except for being born in Norfolk, VA, while his father was in the navy and for a time following college graduation when he served as an engineer at the Willow Run bomber plant.  Shortly after returning to Lansing, Gene, along with Ben Raff formed Raff & Dexter Contractors, a partnership that built numerous bridges throughout Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, with one of their greatest projects being the American contractor for the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge, the crown of I-75. Gene continued this career until he was 70.

While in the Sault, Gene located a parcel of land available on Weckstrom Lake in the Canadian Algoma district, along with a few friends, Weckstrom Camp came into being and for over 53 years this fishing camp has provided untold joys to many.  He was a 1937 Eastern HS graduate and a 1942 Civil Engineering graduate of MSU, he proudly attended his 74th MSU class reunion in June of 2016.  A 1955 decision to build the Maston Lake cottage has left a history that continues today for the entire family.  As a Christian, Gene attended Delta Presbyterian Church where he participated in several missions trips to Sunset Gap in Tennessee and to LaCeba, Honduras, and always was available for church projects he was also a life member of BPO Elks.  During his life Gene and Ruth traveled a great deal, with cruising being the first choice as well as wintering in the Clearwater, FL area, later Gene and his companion Jean Walworth, while in their 80s, set out to cover more of the world including China, Greece, Switzerland. Germany, Denmark the Dominic Republic, Mexico and European river cruising.

Gene is survived by daughter Linda (Larry) Burton of Tarpon Springs, son Jim (JoAnn) Dexter of Lansing, granddaughters Sara (Bob) Neumann and Kristin (Brad) Rich, and great-granddaughters Pilar, Nora and Corinne Neumann. Also survived by sister Betty Ferris of Dunedin, FL.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 18, 2017, at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. The family will receive visitors at the funeral home on Wednesday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday preceding the service.  Pastor Wendy Pratt from Delta Presbyterian Church will officiate the service. Interment will be in Deepdale Memorial Gardens.  Donations may be made to either Sparrow Home Hospice or Eaton Community Palliative Care.