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The Reverend Eugene (Gene) Wayne Morse, 79, passed away Friday, January 6, 2023, Born August 21, 1943, Gene grew up in Gothenburg, NE. Following graduation from Gothenburg High School in 1961, he attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he met and married Lettie Clark of Ainsworth. A member of Farmhouse fraternity, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology in 1965. He attended St. Paul School of Theology, graduating in 1968 with a Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained Elder in Nebraska Conference of the United Methodist Church and a member of the Missouri Conference since 1978.
Gene began his career in social services at the East End Mission in London, England in 1968. In 1970 he served as pastor of UMC Hay Springs, NE and campus minister at Chadron State College. In 1974 he returned to the East End Mission, running St. George’s Men’s Center and Soup Kitchen. In 1978, Gene was appointed Executive Director of Kingdom House (now LifeWise StL) in Saint Louis, MO, serving there until retirement in 2006.
A faithful supporter of Webster United Methodist church in Webster Groves, MO, Gene volunteered weekly with the Tuesday Guys. Gene was a 43-year member of the St. Louis Downtown Lion’s Club. He volunteered at Clowder House cat shelter and served on the Board of Webster-Rock Hill Ministries. He and Lettie participated in NOMADS, a United Methodist volunteer construction mission.
Gene loved to fish, boat, and travel by RV. He was a talented and avid woodworker. He was a fan of Cardinals, Blues, and Nebraska Cornhuskers. He proudly followed all the sports, activities and educational pursuits of his grandchildren.
Gene thought of Ainsworth as his third hometown (after Gothenburg and Webster Groves) having attended Class of 1962 reunions since 1972. He loved visiting Lettie’s Leach cousins and fishing in their pond.
Gene was preceded in death by parents Lloyd Justice and Lydia Marie Young Morse and stepmother Lillie Boykin Morse.
Gene is survived by wife, Lettie (Clark) Morse; daughter, Lydia; and grandchildren, Camille, Lillian, and Julian Nunes of Kirkwood, MO; sister, Diane Steenbergen, of Mesquite, NV; brothers, Ron (Karen) of Indianapolis, IN, and Dale; nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
Services were held January 12th at Webster United Methodist followed by internment at Manchester United Methodist Church in Ballwin, MO.
Gifts may be made in memory of Gene’s life to Webster United Methodist, 600 N. Bompart Ave, St. Louis, MO 63119.