Gene Thomas Shumar

Gene Thomas Shumar, 72, died Aug. 27 at his Wasilla home due complications following a heart attack. Gene was born Jan. 10, 1937 in Mount Pleasant, Penn. He attended Ramsay High School in Mount Pleasant.

Gene served in the Air Force for four years.

Gene came to Alaska to pursue God’s call to become a pastor. He and his family lived in Anchorage from 1973 until 1978 when he was he was commissioned to start a church in Whittier by the conservative Baptist church. After four years in Whittier he later pastured Glennallen Community Chapel 1981-1989. He was presently attending Wasilla Bible Church.

Gene is self-described as a golf “nut” and took particular joy living in Settler’s Bay near the golf course. He also took great interest in football; he was a quarterback for his Air Force team.

Gene was a man who was in love with Jesus and with people. He spoke of his love for them constantly, with a true genuine heart. Many people trusted in Jesus Christ as Savior because of his testimony. When he came into a room, he lit it up with the twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face, and often with a wink, as he liked to tease. He made it his “mission” to brighten a person’s day, to bring them happiness and make them smile. He loved children, and they loved him right back, bringing him everything from hugs and kisses to cards and drawings. Sometimes they would come to the door to see, “Can Gene come out and play?” He was someone who liked looking for the bright side of things; always checking for the sliver living in a cloud. He trusted God’s sovereignty, and rested on the knowledge that He would always provide.

We take great comfort in knowing that he is safe in the arms of Jesus.

Gene is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sandra Shumar of Wasilla; daughter Kelly Shumar-Nordstrom of Bellevue, Wash.; sons, Sean and Eric Shumar of Anchorage; sister, Dolores Covert of Knoxville, Tenn.; sister, Dorothy Bell of Henderson, N.C.; sister, Patty Buschek of Greensberg, Penn.; brother, Russell Shumar of Mt. Pleasant; granddaughter, Brianna Nordstrom of La Mirada, Calif.; grandson, Matthew Nordstrom of La Mirada; granddaughter, Erin Nordstrom of Bellevue; six nephews and eight nieces.

Gene was preceded in death by his son, Gene T. Shumar II; and his parents Russell and Helen Shumar.

A funeral will be held on Monday at Wasilla Bible Church, viewing will be at 10 a.m., with the funeral starting at 11 a.m., with Pastor Jim Eller officiating. Then, family and friends are invited to meet at Ft. Richardson main gate at 2:45 p.m., for a procession to the National Cemetery and a graveside service at 3 p.m.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Wasilla Bible Church “Summer Youth Program” 1651 W. Nicola Ave. Wasilla, AK 99654