Rev. Dr. H. Gene Toot

DR. H. GENE TOOT, 96

The Reverend Dr. H. Gene Toot, of East Liverpool, former pastor of Trinity United Presbyterian Church, former director of the East Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, avid sports fan, dedicated father, and all-around good man, died Monday evening, November 17. 2025, at the Orchards of East Liverpool Rehab Suites. He was 96 years old.

Gene was born in 1929 at home in Dellroy, Ohio, the oldest son of Bray and Mildred (Davy) Toot in a family that included his younger siblings, Carl Toot and Marna Toot Holcomb, who predeceased him. In 1952, he married Carol Hill (also predeceased, 2013), and together they raised three children: David Toot (Kim), Janet Toot, Pamela Toot Lanford (David). Through them, his life has been blessed with four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Gene graduated high school in Dellroy before going on to graduate from Kent State University, where he met Carol. He later went on to attend Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He served as minister at Hopedale and Annapolis Presbyterian Churches from 1954 to 1961. He served as associate minister and senior minister at Trinity Presbyterian Church from 1961 until his retirement. In 1980, Gene completed his Doctorate of Ministry at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, with his degree focused on the community and life of the church, informing his practice of ministry.

Gene was moderator of the Presbytery of Steubenville, chairman of the organizing Commission Presbytery of the Upper Ohio Valley, moderator of the Presbytery of the Upper Ohio Valley and a member of Presbytery and Synod committees too numerous to mention. He was a founding member of the board of trustees for Beaver Creek United Presbyterian Church Camp and served the board in various capacities for more than 50 years. He was a speaker and director for camps and conferences of all ages.

After his retirement from ministry in 1995, Gene served a six-year stint as East Liverpool Area Chamber of Commerce executive director and served on the East Liverpool Board of Education and as chaplain at East Liverpool City Hospital. He was the driving force in creating the annual Easter Pageant on the Hillside at Trinity Church. He was chosen by the Morning Journal in 2000 as one of the 100 Outstanding Citizens of Columbiana County in the 20th Century and he received the East Liverpool Area Jaycees Distinguished Service Award.

Gene also had many years of involvement with the YMCA, Rotary Club - where he was named a Paul Harris Fellow, Tri-State Pottery Festival, Fawcett Foundation, East Liverpool Area Prayer Breakfast and City Design and Review Board. For 23 years he played in the East Liverpool Men's Softball League and for 30 years he participated in the East Liverpool Church Men's Bowling League. In his later years, he continued his love of sports by playing both Senior Olympic basketball and ping pong. But most people will know him as an avid dahlia grower, still known across the country for his success at regional dahlia shows in places like Washington, D.C., St Louis, and Detroit. Among many of his awards, he grew two grand champions in American Dahlia Society National Shows and one ADS Midwest grand champion.

Gene's life covered one of the biggest periods of change in world history. Born during the depression, he lived through a world war, the atomic bomb, the moon landings, the invention of the computer and much more. Most of all he was absolutely dedicated to the church and service to his community. To the end, he viewed the church has the strongest force for good in the world.

A memorial service will be conducted at 4:00 p.m. Saturday at Longs Run Trinity Presbyterian Church where friends may visit prior to the service from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. A private family service and burial will be conducted at Riverview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you do service to your church or to your community.