Bernard "Gene" Fulghum Jr.

Bernard Eugene Fulghum Jr. Esq. ("Gene") passed peacefully into the Lord's house on February 20, 2024.
This is in memory of a man who delighted in taking care of people: those whom he loved and those whom he barely knew. He spoke little of himself as he was more interested in supporting and learning about others.
Gene was born on January 2, 1945, in Memphis, TN to Bernard Eugene Fulghum Sr. and Agnes Warbritton Fulghum. Growing up his family's farm, Gene learned about nature, stars, sports, and the love of God and family. His favorite childhood memories were of playing "cowboys and Indians", on real horses with real bows and arrows; and caring for the farm animals. His favorite family memories are of his mother's dinners "cooked in the smallest kitchen in America", and the multi-generational events held at his parent's home, the "Fulghum Family Olympics".
Gene went to The Training School (where his father taught and coached), at now The University of Memphis, from 1st to 8th grade and still has a close relationship with many of "The Cubs". He then went to Central High School where he was a phenomenal athlete, playing basketball, baseball, and football. He was voted "Most Athletic" and maintained scholastic honor roll status. Gene's family and friends recall his energetic and playful personality, telling stories of him that would make anyone smile. While in high school he was recruited by many universities as a scholar athlete. Gene signed with Georgia Tech University on a football "full-ride scholarship" where he made All Southeast Conference his freshman year. Before graduation Gene joined ROTC on the advice of his bridge partner. Upon graduation he became an Army Officer, serving in the Chemical Core during the Vietnam War era. Gene became interested in law and took the LSAT entrance exam, scoring in the top 1% nationwide. Graduating Law School, he served the City of New Orleans first as a Public Defense Attorney and then as the New Orleans Police Department Attorney. Later he partnered with a small law firm where he represented several musicians, including jazz musician James Booker and two of the Neville brothers. In New Orleans, Gene was known as "Clean Gene" because he did not accept bribes. Visiting New Orleans thirty years later, Gene was still well recognized and welcomed as "Clean Gene".
Interested in his spiritual growth, Gene studied at Palmer Theological Seminary (Eastern University) and went to Israel on a multi-religion group study. He served on the Philadelphia Presbytery before marrying Carann and joining St. Andrews Methodist Church, where he served on multiple church committees and routinely made up to 80 homemade biscuits for any event he could. He and Carann together taught 15 straight years of 5-6th grade Sunday School. They later joined Haddonfield Methodist Church where Gene was active in Vacation Bible School and greatly enjoyed the weekly Men's Bible Study group.
Gene most loved his family. Whenever there was a family event, if able, he would attend. Until his parents' and siblings' deaths, he would call them every Sunday. His greatest joys were his wife Carann, his "bonus" daughter Cat, her husband Paul, and his grandchildren," the five rosebuds". Married in what Gene called "the Autumn of Our Lives", Gene and Carann lovingly supported each other for 30 years. Gene was the steady rock in both of their lives: described by Carann as her" safe place". He was "messy" but gladly made family dinner almost every night. His wry humor, his ability to "keep the peace" and his overwhelming knack for serving others in the way they most needed were some of his best traits. He was especially elated with his five beloved grandchildren – each whom had a special "buddy name".
Gene's family is grateful for the life they had with him, knowing that he is now surrounded by not only his heavenly siblings but also by family members who greeted him: his parents; his sister, Anita Fulghum Knapp; his brother, Bob Fulghum; his nephews Shawn and John Hunter Fulghum; and his nephew, Christopher Stone. Gene is survived by his wife, Carann; daughter, Cat LaPlante (Paul); grandsons Connor, Killian, Colin, and Kinnan LaPlante and granddaughter, Piper J LaPlante as well his beloved nephew, four nieces, many cousins and a large community of friends, neighbors and church members.
Gene will be privately laid to rest in Brigadier General William C Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery. His public memorial service will be held at Haddonfield Methodist Church, Haddonfield, NJ on March 29th: visitation starting at 10:30 and service at noon. His memorial service will be live streamed at www.haddonfieldumc.org, where a link to the service is listed. Memorial gifts to The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research or to the church of your choice are requested in lieu of flowers.