Alfred Eugene Gines, Sr., was called home on Tuesday, February 1, 2011.  He passed away in the presence of his wife Icy, at the John Knox Rehabilitation Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.

Alfred Gines was born on December 17, 1930.  He attended Lincoln High School in Kansas City, graduating in 1946.  He served in the United States Navy, and worked for John Deere Co. in Kansas City for  many years.  An active traveler, he ventured far and wide to visit family and friends.  He lived in Hawaii for a while in the 1970s.

He was the son of William Edward Gines (1898-1955) and Annie Florida Corrine Long (1902-1986).  His paternal grandparents were Richard William Gines (1857-1910?) and Sylvia LeJay (1863-1940) of Shreveport, Louisiana.  His maternal grandparents were Rev. James WIlliam Long (1866-1945) and Mary Elizabeth Johnson (1870-1946).

Alfred was preceded in death by a sister, Grace Gines Wedlaw (1916-2002) of Houston, Texas; two brothers, Richard Edward Gines (1926-1996), of New York City, and Perry Wesley Gines Sr. (1928-1986) of Anchorage,  Alaska; and a daughter, Althea Gines of Sacramento, California.

He is survived by his wife, Icy, and her daughters Joanie and Alinda; his sons, Alfred Eugene Gines Jr., and his wife, Felicia; William Edward Gines II; daughters Linda Gines Smith, and Pamela Hill.  Also surviving are his sisters,  Lillian Gines Manson, of San Jose, California, and Delorise Gines of Kansas City; and a brother, Kenneth B. Gines, also of Kansas City.
Additionally Alfred was much beloved by many grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

My uncle Alfred was the cheeriest person I’ve ever known. Even into his final illness, he was smiling, laughing and joking, enjoying his family around him.  When I last spoke to him about ten days ago, his mood was bright, though his prognosis was grim.

There’s a major snowstorm going on in Kansas City, so almost no one has been able get out to visit his wife and family.  Pray for a sunny day tomorrow, like Alfred would enjoy.