Gene East age 84, Clinton, Missouri passed away Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at Westwood Living Center, Clinton, Missouri. Fond memories and condolences may be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com . Funeral service will be on Friday, November 29 at 10:30AM with visitation one hour prior at Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri. Interment will follow at Englewood Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions to be made to Tebo Baptist Church and may be left in care of the funeral home.

Mr. East was born on June 24, 1935 at Hortense, Missouri, the son of Raymond and Isabel (La Ront) East. He attended school at Coal and graduated from Clinton High School.

As a young man his love of farming was encouraged and cultivated by his uncle, Wyatt East. He loved milking the cows and enjoyed visiting with people on the daily milk route. He married Mary Maud Austin on June 1, 1955 in rural Clinton and together they built a farm of their own. Over the years, they milked cows, raised hogs and cows. Gene and Mary Maud drove school busses for the Leesville R-9 School District for several years. They farmed during the day and he worked at Clearfield Cheese Co. in the evenings. He retired from Clearfield and continued his cattle operation, later adding his son, Lyle to the business, forming East & East Partnership. His church family at Tebo Baptist Church, was very important to him. He served as a deacon for over 50 years and was the Sunday School director until his health declined.

Surviving him are: one son, Lyle East and wife, Lois of Clinton; two daughters, Pam Doak and husband, Tim of Galena, and Joy DeLozier of Clinton; one brother, Jay East and wife, Hazel of Clinton; seven grandchildren, Jeremiah Doak and wife, Chasity, Jill Ragan and husband, Matt, Josh Doak and wife Bethany, Danielle Peacock and husband, Travis, Levi East, Stephanie Hegarty and husband, Mark and Christian DeLozier and wife, Sibyl, and eleven great-grandchildren, Jack, Maddy, Maci, Shelby, Wyatt, Olivia, Hadley, Maleah, Hollis, Emsley and Rex.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri.