Trout-Benjamin Franklin Gee, 90, died Monday, June 1, 2015.
Born May 6, 1925, at Trout, he was the son of the late Robert E. and Maymie Hanna Gee.
He was a graduate of Williamsburg High School and attended the National Business College in Roanoke. VA.
During his professional career, in addition to running the family farm, he was employed by Farm Credit Association and later the Greenbrier County Board of Education, where he served many years as the Director of Transportation. He was a former director of Greenbrier County Emergency Services and coordinated rescue and clean-up for the 1985 Greenbrier River flood.
He loved his community and had a strong belief in community service. He was a founder and charter member of the Williamsburg Volunteer Fire Department and the Williamsburg Volunteer Rescue Squad serving many years for both. He was an organizer of the Trout Valley water system. He was an organizer of the Williamsburg Health Clinic and served on its Board many years as Chairman. His interest in rural health care extended to his efforts in the establishment of the WV School or Osteopathic Medicine. He was an active member of the Williamsburg Ruritan Club. He was a volunteer for and lifetime member of the Williamsburg Historical Foundation. He was a faithful member of Andrew Chapel United Methodist Church in Williamsburg where he served as long as his health permitted. He was a dedicated blood donor with over 100 pints of blood. He served as coordinator for the Annual Williamsburg High School Reunion for over 50 years.
He was a proud WWII veteran serving in the U.S. Army from 1943 through Dec. 25, 1945. During his service to his country he was in active combat in the Normandy invasion, northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and central Europe, including spending the winter at the Battle of the Bulge. He was a member of American Legion Post #0069.
He loved living on the family farm at the base of Cold Knob Mountain where he spent wonderful hours hunting and tramping with his relatives and friends (and his favorite gun, Old Harkus). He loved his family and hosting family events and the family reunions. He loved to laugh.
Surviving are: his beloved wife of 63 years, Bonnie Cooper Gee; daughters. Samme of Charleston and Williamsburg, Kimberly of Trout and Dr. Melissa and husband Brian Balukonis of Littleton, MA; son, Jeff of Trout; and precious grandchild, Cooper Balukonis-Gee. He is also survived by his beloved sister, Mary Jo Dixon and his special friend and brother-in-law, Bill Dixon of Fairlea; many loving nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews; and wonderful friends, relatives and neighbors. He will be missed by his faithful companion, Jackson.
He donated his body to the WV School of Osteopathic Medicine and requested that there be no funeral service.
Memorials may be made to the Williamsburg Volunteer Fire Department (P.O. Box 181, Williamsburg, WV 24991), the Williamsburg Volunteer Rescue Squad (P.O. Box 160, Williamsburg, WV 24991), or Andrew Chapel Building Fund (P.O. Box 110, Williamsburg, WV 24991).
Submitted by Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg. Please send online condolences by visiting www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com.