Eugene "Gene" Wallace Schneider went home to be with our Lord on October 14th, Columbus Day. He was 94 and a half.

Gene was the son of Corinne Boteler Schneider and his German father, Karl Schneider.  He was born on February 9th, 1930. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Patti Schneider, sister, Karlene Schneider Little (Bill), and brother, Harold "Sonny" Schneider (Ann, deceased).

His first job was working at Parkins West End Pharmacy in Jackson.  He was twelve years old to start, and on bicycle, delivered pharmaceuticals to clients and also worked as a soda jerk while there for a number of years.

Gene graduated from Central High School in Jackson, MS in 1948, and was president of his sophomore class.  He played baseball for Central as an outstanding centerfielder, with Coach Cooter Berry. During his senior year, the Central Tigers won the regional championship.

After high school graduation, Gene joined the Army Air Force as a Private, and ended as a Corporal.  He stayed for two years and eight months. In 1954, he joined the National Guard, and was discharged as a Captain. He was on active duty until 1959.

In 1950, Gene hired on with the Illinois Central Railroad as a switchman.  He quickly was promoted, and his title caused him to move to new locations frequently, living in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Memphis, and Chicago, before moving back to Jackson.  Gene worked for the railroad for 42 years, until he retired in 1992.  That job gave him lifelong friends, gave him work that he loved, and gave him lots of laughter.

In 1958, Gene met the love of his life, Patti Schneider, on a blind date.  Three months later, they were married.

In 1959, they had their daughter, Shari Schneider (Scott Mateer, deceased), in 1960, Bruce Schneider (Rita - Doug, Kurt, and Stephen) in Baton Rouge, and in 1962, Rick Schneider (Vivian - Ethan and Landon), in New Orleans.

Gene was a wonderful husband, father, and a role model for his children and for kids in the neighborhood. In south Jackson, he drove a yellow 1958 Plymouth Savoy for many years, and in 1979, he purchased a Ford F100 pickup which is still in the family.

He and his wife moved to the reservoir area and joined Pinelake church. When he was 70 years old, he was baptized.

He had four great grandchildren, Hewitt, Lillian, Leila and Luke.  All Schneiders.

Gene had many great qualities.  He was hardworking at his job with the railroad, and he always loved doing yardwork.  He once said, "leave a place better than you found it", and "you can solve the world's problems while you're doing yardwork".  He taught his children integrity, the value of hard work, honesty, and kindness.  His outstanding quality was his sense of humor.  You never knew what was going to come out of his mouth. There was laughter everywhere he went.

We all thank our father and grandfather, Gene, for bettering all the lives around him.  Godspeed.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 20, 2024 from 2pm – 4pm at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home in Flowood and from 11am – 12pm Monday, October 21, 2024 at Pinelake Church, Brandon. Funeral services will be held at 12pm at the church with burial to follow at Lakeland Place Memorial Gardens.