Gene Akers - Class of 1958

[Bob]

George Eugene "Gene" Akers, aged 82, died on July 24, 2023. He would have been 83 in a few more days. He passed at UT hospital surrounded by his loving family. Gene was born Aug. 3, 1940. He was preceded in death by his mother, Anne Gore Akers; father, Thomas Franklin Akers; and first wife, Linda Ackerberg Akers.
Gene graduated from Rule High School class of 1958. He was V.P. of his senior class and was voted Mr. Rule High. His senior year, he lettered in football, basketball, and track. Dear friends were made and kept from 7th grade throughout his life. William Burris, Earl Summers, and Gene made up the 3 musketeers of the class of 1958.
Gene graduated from the University of Tennessee and was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He could stand and deliver the Lambda creed at any time just for the asking and never missed a beat. He served as: Past President of Akers Allied Van Lines for 30 years, past President of Security Business Records, past Vice President of West Knoxville Kiwanis Club, and past Treasurer of Knoxville Civil War Round Table. In retirement, Gene moved to Tellico Village in Loudon County and became active in several social clubs. Gene was president of the Solo Club for two years. He made many friends during that period of time. Other clubs he was involved in were the writing club and the scotch tasting club. He looked forward to his weekly golf game with his best buddies, Bill Burris, Johnny Collins (class of 1956), and his brother-in-law, Sam Plummer.
Gene is survived by sister Carole Akers Plummer. There could be no closer siblings than these two. Also her husband, Sam Plummer; son, Chris Akers and wife Susan; daughter, Lisa Akers Haskell and her husband David; former wife, Patricia Helton Akers and her son, David Helton and daughter, Patricia (Windy) Helton Clayton; Gene's very special friend, Vivian Vega.
Gene made bedtime tapes of himself reading his grandchildren's favorite story books to help them fall asleep. The children never failed to say as they were being tucked into bed, "Grandpa tape, please!" His grandchildren are: Laney Haskell, Kylee Haskell Rochat and her husband, Ezekiel Rochat, Connor Haskell, Olivia Akers, and Grant Helton. Gene had 17 first cousins, who will dearly miss him.
The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 A.M. on August 19th, 2023 at Rose Funeral and Cremation - Mann at 6200 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 11:00am in the chapel. Online condolences may be extended at rosefuneraltn.com.
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Obituary published on Legacy.com by Rose Funeral & Cremation - Mann on Aug. 10, 2023.