Gene McNalley

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Clifton "Gene" McNalley, Sr., on Monday, September 29th, 2025.
Gene was born on March 12th, 1934, in Morrison, TN. After graduating from Manchester's Central High School in 1952, he enlisted in the US Army, West Germany, serving in the ASA Division. It was here that he met his wife of almost 69 years, Eva. Returning home to Tennessee, Gene joined the Tennessee Highway Patrol. During his time with the THP, he earned an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice Technology and worked passionately to strengthen drunk driving laws and child safety seat regulations, resulting in Tennessee being the first state in the U.S.A. to make Child Safety Seat usage mandatory. Gene retired from the Patrol in 1990, having served as Captain of the Knoxville Division. He was also very proud of his participation as one of the original Founders of the Township of Farragut, TN. In his retirement Gene developed two of his most fervent pastimes, learning to use a PC to "surf the web" in order to stay up to date on current events, and for a time, doing his best to grow perfect grass (the non-smokeable variety).
Gene was preceded in death by his father, John McNalley, his mother Thelma Marcella McNalley, his brother, Dennis Franklin McNalley, and his lifelong friends Wayne and Naoma Keeling.
Gene is survived by his wife, Eva Maria McNalley, son Clifton G. McNalley, Jr., daughters Tina M. McNalley, Regina M. Gertsen and her husband John Gertsen, along with their three children Amanda, Harry and Henry – all of Knoxville, TN, and nieces Terri McNalley of Orlando FL, and Shannon McNalley of Manchester, TN.
The interment will be at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, Gov John Sevier Hwy, Knoxville, on Monday, October 20th, 2025 at 2 PM. There will be a receiving of friends and family afterwards, from 5 to 7 PM, at Click's Funeral Home in Farragut.