Alfred Eugene “Gene” Hames was born in Belleview, Florida on October 11, 1936 to Winters Baker Hames, Sr., and Mary Eleanor Abshier Hames and passed away on October 8, 2024 at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, Ocala, Florida. He was just 3 days shy of his 88th Birthday.
He is survived by his wife of 54 plus years, Phyllis Gail Davis Hames and their three sons John Freeman Hames II & his wife Melissa, Paul Eugene Hames and Thomas Nigel Hames & his wife, Ingrid; seven grandchildren, Jordan, Ronnie, Tommy, Rosie, Warren, Stella and Parker; his sister, Mary Ann Hames McIntyre and his brother Harrell Peek Hames & his wife Linda; along with Brother-In-Laws, Randy Davis and Tommy Davis & his wife Shirley; Special Nieces Tami McIntyre, Corena Davis Wingo, Mary Davis Pope and Great Nephew Charlie Wingo and Great Nieces Lizzie Wingo & Addison Pope; among many other extended family members including Sara Johnson and Kayla Miller. Two survivors that are missing him deeply are his dog, Jake and his cat, Lou Lou.
Gene was predeceased by his parents along with brothers; Winters (Wince) Baker Hames, Jr., Milton Elmer Hames, John Donald Hames, William Franklin (Frank) Hames, Thomas Dean Hames, and his sister Violet Eleanor Hames Law.
Gene and his younger twin brother (by 2 minutes) Dean were born at the family home on SE 6th Street now known as SE Mimosa Road in Belleview, Florida. The house they were born in is still standing and family members continue to reside there. The twins were born premature and Doctor Eugene Peek, Sr. rushed them to the hospital in a box with his own car. The family was told when he got to the hospital, some staff asked if there really were babies in the box as they were so small. They had to stay at the hospital for several months. The funny part of their birth; being the only two out of nine children that
had a hospital stay after birth; they were not issued birth certificates. This was not discovered until the 1970’s and they were issued delayed birth certificates.
Gene and Dean were identical twins and people could not tell them apart. Their Aunt Mina and many others in town would just call them GeneDean or DeanGene when they saw them together or even if just one of them was present. Many stories of mischief that the “twins” got themselves into has been passed down through the generations. A couple stories that will go down in history is one where they dug an enormous hole at the bottom of the back steps to their house and heard their grandmother coming to the back porch. They knew they would be in trouble if she saw their hole. They hurried up and threw some palm branches over it and took off running. Being young children, they did not realize that she was coming all the way out of the house and she fell in their hole. Things did not go so well for them after that fall. Grandma Hames was famous for making misbehaving children go pick their own switch off the peach tree or nearby bush and bring it to her and it had better not be a wimpy switch either. Another good one was the time they wanted a little money and decided to take some of their grandmother’s dishes to an antique store and sell them. The problem with that was they did not ask before doing so. The story that tops them all would be one of mistaken identity. Dean married Inez Oliver and they lived in Pedro, Florida. Gene & Phyllis lived in Belleview just down the street from Russell’s Thriftway and at that time that is where Gene worked. Back in those days, milk was delivered to your door by the milkman. Well, the local milkman would be delivering around 5:00 AM and Gene would be leaving his house and walking to work. The milkman saw this time and time again and just could not take it anymore. He went to Inez’s Father (Milton Oliver) in Pedro and told him that his son-in-law Dean was cheating on his daughter, as he saw him time and time again leaving another home in Belleview early in the mornings when it was still dark. You can only imagine the fun Mr. Oliver put that milkman through before telling him that his son-in-law Dean had a twin brother that lived in Belleview. Having Gene and Dean together in one room or one car was always full of aggravation, laughter, and fun.
For Gene & Dean’s 80th Birthday, they celebrated at the home of Gene & Phyllis with lots of family and friends. Any gathering with the twins present; was sure to have plenty of food, fellowship, and laughter.
The ultimate adventure to this Birthday Celebration was when several motorcycles drove in to take the twins for a motorcycle ride. Tony Hampton arranged this adventure with a little encouraging from Tami McIntyre. Lots of wonderful memories were made that day! Including Dean coming back and telling everyone he had lost his false teeth on the ride AND then said “oops forgot I put them in my shirt pocket.” Gene was not going to out done – so he said that he had lost his eyeglasses and then said “oh’ here they are.” They really enjoyed their motorcycle ride and talked about it lots of times. Together they were unstoppable and so full of life!
Gene was raised in Belleview and could tell you just about anything you wanted to know about his hometown. He was honored to have served as a Belleview City Commissioner two different times for a total of 8 years plus. He was also on the Belleview Elementary Advisory Board when his boys were young. He graduated from Ocala High School in 1955 and while in high school he joined The Navy Reserves and staying in after graduation. That led to him serving our country in Vietnam. During high school he delivered milk to residents of Belleview and on Saturdays, he worked for Hames Mercantile which was owned by his brother Milton. He later went to work for Stuckey’s, first in Belleview and then promoted to manager at Stuckey’s in Starke. In the sixties he moved to Tye, Texas where his sister, Violet lived with her family. While there he managed “Mr. M’s” which was a small grocery store, owned by Violet & her husband Ken Law. That is what led to his lifelong career in the grocery business.
In 1969, after being released from active duty from The United States Navy; he came home to Belleview, Florida. He met Phyllis at Russell’s Thriftway as she worked next door at Senn’s Five and Dime. They were married on December 26, 1969 at The Belleview First Baptist Church.
In the early seventies, Gene and Phyliss moved around Florida a bit as he managed grocery stores in Ocala, Leesburg, New Smyrna Beach, Ormond Beach, and Salt Springs among others. Once his boys were starting school, they wanted to moved back to Belleview and raise their boys with the love of a small town.
There were times when he had to drive a distance to work though always said it was worth it to raise his family in Belleview. One of his proudest moments was having all his sons graduate from local high schools. John and Paul are proud residents of Belleview. Nigel settled in Winter Park with his career; though he comes home to Belleview often.
Gene was raised in a “Jesus Loving Home” along with his brothers and sisters. His mother made sure they attended and were active at The Belleview First Baptist Church as they grew up. He accepted Christ as his Lord & Savior at a young age,was baptized, became a member of his hometown church, and stayed a faithful member until he ascended to Heaven.
His memorial service with be at The Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida on Friday, November 8, 2024 starting at 1:00 P.M. All family and friends are invited. Please arrive no later then 12:30 as the procession to the memorial site will start shortly thereafter.
