Eugene Lee Box of Clinton, Mississippi, died peacefully at his home the evening of June 1, 2022. He was 86.

Gene was born to Paul and Cary Ben Box and grew up in Stewart. Above all, he loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and his family. Playing and watching sports, particularly golf, also brought him great joy in life.

Gene graduated from Kilmichael High School in 1953, where he captained the Hornets' football and basketball teams. With no job or plan, and saddled with an ill-advised car payment, he married the homecoming queen and his wife of 65 loving years, Peggy Joyce Ellis, shortly after her 18th birthday. Their son, Michael Ellis Box, was born a year later in 1955.

After school, Gene and his young family moved to Shreveport where he served in the Air Force SAC as an electronic countermeasures officer. In the evening & on weekends was the head waiter at the NCO Club. After his service, the family was blessed with his beloved daughter, Paula. In his life, Paula never entered a room without Gene smiling.

In 1962 He was hired as the first employee at Frierson Building Supply and the family settled in Clinton. He served as VP & General Manager for over 40 years, He found great satisfaction in his work and the life he was able to build for his family. In 1975 his son, Mike, joined him at Frierson. They went on to work together every day for 33 cherished years.

Gene was a devout member of Morrison Heights Baptist Church in Clinton for over 50 years, where he served as deacon, as well as on the finance and building committees.

In his spare time, Gene became quite adept at the game of golf. He was one of the first members of Live Oaks Golf Club. Though he experienced many great rounds and tournaments won, his greatest golf legacy was forming a weekly golf group with a standing 1:00 pm Saturday tee time with his son, his nephew, Tim Ellis, and eight of their lifelong friends.

Gene loved to laugh, throw (or join) a party, and going to the beach with family and friends. A true patriarch, he started yet another tradition -- an annual beach trip to Destin Florida which after 36 years is still ongoing and now includes 6 separate families. Loved ones will attest that Gene rarely missed an opportunity to dance cheek to cheek with Peggy as Fats Domino or Floyd Kramer played from the family's home stereo. Gene enjoyed the journey of life. His motto, which he reminded his family of often, was to "work hard, live in a thankful state of mind, and be satisfied with what you have."

Survivors include: his wife, Peggy Box; son, Michael Box (Valerie) of Madison; daughter, Paula Box Murphy (John) of Madison; brother Paul Adrian Box (Jo Ellen) of Clinton; granddaughters Lindsey Box Lassiter (John) of Flora, Kelsey Murphy of Dallas, Texas and Natalie Murphy Sholar (Drew) of Memphis, Tennessee; and   great-grandchildren Ellis, Jack and Olivia Lassiter of Flora.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home in Clinton with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Graveside services will follow at Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to: LeBonheur Children's Hospital, 850 Poplar Avenue, Memphis TN, 38105, Attn: Danielle Keeton, Dir Outpatient rehab In Memory of Eugene Box.