Gene Dailey Worden Jr., 79, of Parsons, but most recently a beloved resident of ERCC in Elkins, went to his eternal home with the Lord on October 3, 2026.
Gene was born December 26, 1946, in Elkins to the late Dorothy and Gene Worden, Sr. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rennay, his sister, Nora, and his parents.
Gene often shared stories of his childhood growing up in Davis and spending time at the Worden Hotel.
Gene graduated from Mountaineer High School in 1964. Following high school, he proudly served his country in the United States Air Force from 1964 to 1968.
After his military service, Gene began a long and varied work career. He spent most of his life working for Island Creek Coal Company. Gene also worked for Canaan Valley Resort, sold insurance and worked as a clerk at the Veterans Clinic in Parsons.
Gene married his high school sweetheart, Rennay Smith, on March 18, 1968. They had two daughters, Tammy and Melinda. Gene enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also loved to take pictures of nature and most of all his family. Gene also loved to write stories and poems. His penmanship was something that reflected the care and thought he put into everything he wrote. Gene married his high school sweetheart, Rennay Smith, on March 18, 1968. They had two daughters, Tammy and Melinda.
Gene enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also loved to take pictures of nature and most of all his family. Gene also loved to write stories and poems. His penmanship was something that reflected the care and thought he put into everything he wrote.
Gene loved to sing and was a member of the Mountain Top Chorus. He was also a member of the Mountain Top Hunting Club and a member of the Thomas Fairfax Masonic Lodge No. 174. Left to cherish his memory are daughters, Tammy and husband, Chris, Melinda and husband, Jon, his three grandchildren, Jeremy Maxwell and wife, Lindsay, Caitlin McNemar and husband, Bryan, and Eliseo Wotring and fiancée, Gabby. Gene also adored his five great-grandchildren, Gideon, Hadley, Jacob, Matt and River.
He is also survived by his siblings, Eddie and wife, Barbara, George and wife, Marsha, Tim Worden, his three nieces, Heather, Cyndi and Stacy, and a brother-in-law, David Fauce. Gene also had a lifetime friend, Dave Goff. They talked to each other every night on the phone sharing hunting and fishing stories.
Gene loved the Lord and was very knowledgeable about the Bible. He grew up attending the Lutheran Church in Davis. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Thomas. Most recently, he attended the First Baptist Church in Parsons.
A celebration of life will be held at the First Baptist Church in Parsons on Saturday, October 17, 2026, conducted by Pastor Cecil Hines. Visitation and time of greeting will be held from noon to 1 p.m., followed by the service at 1 p.m. Interment will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery in Thomas where members of the Tucker County Veterans Association, the H.W. Daniels Post #29, American Legion, and the WV Honor Guard. The Hostetler Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements for Gene Dailey Worden Jr. Send condolences to the family online at www.hostetlerfuneralhome.com.