Rev. Gene Upton

Rev. Gene Homer Upton, 86, a resident of the Hillsboro community died Saturday afternoon, March 28, 2009 at the Avamere Rehabilitation in Hillsboro, Oregon.

A memorial service will be at 2:00PM, Saturday, April 4, at Tualatin Plains Presbyterian Church (the Old Scotch Church).

Rev. Upton was born on December 28, 1922 in Tacoma, WA. He was one of four children born to Homer and Flossie (Murdach) Upton. They became a family of eight children, joining four other children previously born to Flossie and Ross Headly. He was raised and received his education in Tacoma, WA attending Lincoln High School where he graduated with the Class of 1943. Gene began attending Seattle Pacific College in 1944, but was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944. He served with the 8th Cavalry, 1st Division as a Medic and Chaplain. Gene participated in the Luzon and Leyte campaigns in the Pacific Theater and in Japan during the occupation. He received the Bronze Star Medal and was honorably discharged in l946.

Following his service to his country, Gene finished his undergraduate studies at Pacific Lutheran University and graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity in l952 from San Francisco Theological Seminary. He continued to be an avid learner all of his life.

Gene was united in marriage to Shirley Folsom on August 11, 1949 in Tacoma, WA. Their ministry took them throughout the Northwest and even into Wyoming. Gene served the Fife Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, WA from 1952 thru 1954, Coulee City Presbyterian Church in Coulee City, WA from 1954 thru 1959, the Wenatchee Presbyterian Church in Wenatchee, WA from 1959 thru 1960.

Gene also served the France Memorial Presbyterian Church in Rawlins, WY from 1960 thru 1968, the Northminister Presbyterian Church in Portland, OR from 1969 thru 1970 and finally, the Tualatin Plains Presbyterian Church (Old Scotch Church) in Hillsboro, OR from 1970 thru 1986.

Gene retired in 1986 but still remained active in the ministry with local Presbyterian Churches throughout Oregon. Among his interests, he enjoyed gardening, woodworking, traveling locally and abroad, hiking, bicycling, reading and home projects for his family.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Shirley, five children and their spouses; Keith and Jackie Upton of North Plains, OR; Kevin and Jan Upton of Hillsboro, OR; Clark and Margaret Upton of Harrisonburg, VA; Clay and Becky Upton of Seattle, WA; and Kent and Nancy Upton of Hillsboro, OR; 13 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by two brothers, Kenneth and Wilbur of Tacoma, WA; and one sister, Lois of Portland OR. In Lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts may be made in Gene's name to the Tualatin Plains Presbyterian Church "Memorial Fund".

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