Gene Edwin Dearen Sr., 78, left this world for Paradise, on Thursday, March 22, 2018, in Pocahontas, Arkansas. Gene was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on Tuesday, July 4, 1939, the beloved first son of Roy Edwin and Toye Kathleen Rook Dearen. He grew up in West Memphis, Arkansas.
Gene became a Christian at an early age, and was a long-time member of the Imboden Church of Christ.
Gene was a lifelong salesman, beginning with selling his bicycle at age nine, to selling automobiles in the family business.
Gene and his family moved to Imboden in 1972. He served as Mayor of Imboden for 28 years (1986-2014). He had a great love for the town, and the beauty it had to offer. Gene will always be remembered as “Big Gene, Mayor, and Papaw”.
Gene is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dennis Dearen.
Gene will be lovingly remembered by his wife of fifty-eight years, Darlene Pickett Dearen, of the home; three children, Kimberly (David) Witt, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Kathy Dearen, of Imboden, and Gene Dearen Jr., of Imboden; sister, Jackie Selph, of West Memphis; brother, Johnny Dearen, of West Memphis; five grandchildren, Khara (Jeff) Sorenson, of Burleson, Texas, Kristina (Tristan) Young, of Annieville, Kathrine Allen, of Little Rock, Ella (Bryce) Walzer, of Maumelle, and Eason Dearen, of Jonesboro; five great grandsons, Kaleb Madison, Zachary Wilson, Chase Wilson, Riley Sorenson, and Gauge Young; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
All services will be held in the chapel of the Fears Family Funeral Home, on Monday, March 26, 2018. Visitation will be from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm. A funeral service will immediately follow, beginning at 5:00 pm; Wayne Herring, officiating. Interment will follow in the Hope Cemetery, in Imboden.
Honored to serve as pallbearers are Phillip Pickett, Jim Jones, Chris Jones, Eason Dearen, Bryce Walzer, Tristan Young, Kaleb Madison, Zachary Wilson, and Jesus Vega.
Past and present Imboden City Council members will serve as Honorary Pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Paragould Children’s Home, 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, Arkansas 72450.