Eugene J. "Gene" Vandever

Eugene ("Gene") J. Vandever, 86, died peacefully at home on Friday, June 27 surrounded by family.
Gene was born on March 4, 1939, in Forbes, MO, to William G. Vandever and Edna (Guyer) Vandever. Gene graduated high school in St. Jospeh, MO, and then studied at the Chicago Art Institute. However, he discovered his true interest was in real estate and he eventually founded Mid-South Marketing Group, Inc. where he consulted various companies throughout the Midwest and South. After retiring from his consulting business, he re-discovered his passion for bass fishing and, with his fishing partner and friend, Keith Brashers, established War Eagle Custom Lures, Inc. The fishing baits they designed and created can still be found today at various retail stores, including Walmart and Bass Pro Shops.
Gene had two daughters, Robbin and Jerri, with Donna Jordan. Gene married the love of his life, Kay Vandever on June 10, 1968, in Branson, MO, and they recently celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary. They moved to Rogers in 1970 where they raised their younger daughter, Jerri.
Aside from being an avid (to say the least!) fisherman, Gene enjoyed playing golf, taking his grandchildren tubing and fishing on his boat, and loved working outside on his landscaping and garden. As recently as the week of his passing, Gene continued to make baits in his shop for all his fisherman friends. During the summer, you could find him testing his baits in his swimming pool and tending to his lawn and gardening projects, especially his elephant ears and morning glories.
Gene is survived by his wife, Kay; daughter Robbin Vandever; of the Dominican Republic and Dallas, TX; six grandchildren, Sam West, Emily West, Vaughn ("VJ") Garrett, Katie Garrett, Stephen Saturniewicz (Kayce), and Meagan Saturniewicz; two great-grandchildren, Tate and Olivia; his dear sister-in-law, Maxine Vandever; and many nieces and nephews.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents; older siblings, Nadine Blakly, Max Vandever, and Sharon Vandever; his beloved daughter, Jerri Garrett, and his infant grandson, Christopher Fuller.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Circle of Life Hospice, https://nwacircleoflife.org or 1201 NE Legacy Pkwy, Bentonville, AR 72712, or the NWA Food Bank, https://nwafoodbank.org or P.O. Box #2126, Lowell, AR 72745.
In accordance with Gene's wishes, cremation arrangements are under the direction of Nelson-Berna, and a private family memorial will be held at a later date.