Maurice Gene Felter, Jr.

With his loving wife at his side, Maurice Gene Felter, Jr. died just as the sun was beginning to rise on Saturday, August 31, 2013 at his home in Lakeside, Navajo County, Arizona. He was 59 years old. Gene was born on December 14, 1953 in Schuylkill, Chester County, Pennsylvania to his parents, the late Maurice Gene, Sr. and Jeanette Eleanor (McArlde) Felter. During the first seven years of his life, Gene lived in several places throughout the United States with his family before they finally settled, permanently, in Tucson, Arizona. Gene attended Santa Rita High School in Tucson and was a graduate of its Class of 1972. Following high school, he worked at several places in many different occupations. His father taught him, by his own example, the value of an honest day's work and how to work hard. He was a truck driver, which began a life-long love for the road. He also worked in the construction industry as a carpenter building countless homes as well as a bricklayer. Gene also became a certified welder and was able to use his welding skills throughout the rest of his life in other occupations. He, too, worked at the mines in San Manuel expanding and developing many of his talents. Gene moved to Pocatello, Idaho where he was known as "a jack of all trades", even working as a crane operator at one of it's local smelters. Also, while in Idaho, he owned and operated his own auto body shop and began racing cars; winning many trophies in the process. He was a true race car enthusiast and loved to watch NASCAR races on t.v. as well. He was a great fan of #24, Jeff Gordon. After living some years in Pocatello, Gene moved back to Tucson and was able to work at several auto body shops in the area. Hundreds of people have trusted his quality work and impeccable integrity. In March of 2007, Gene took an early retirement so that he and his wife could begin a countrywide adventure together. They loved to take long trips in their R.V. and traveled extensively throughout most of the continental United States. The only states they were not able to visit were Washington state and those of the Eastern Seaboard. They also left no road in Arizona untraveled and truly appreciated the beauty found there and especially loved the peace and tranquility that is unique to the White Mountains. Gene loved the White Mountain "playground". He always enjoyed a good hunt with family and his best friend John Williams in the Rennington Pass area, just outside of Tucson. Gene also looked forward to a quiet day on the lake, fishing. Because of the skills he acquired throughout his life, Gene was able to spend countless hours restoring old cars to their original glory and never tired of turning a "hunk of junk" into a beautiful piece of art. When he realized that he would not survive his illness, Gene turned all of his attention and focus to seeing that his sweet wife, Alice, would not have anything to worry about, even down to having the oil changed on the motor home and gassing up her car. Alice always recognized his kind and thoughtful gestures as those of a loving husband who always put her on a pedestal. She truly considers herself blessed to have shared her life with him and, he with her. This gentle giant of a man, whom always put the needs of others' before his own, will be greatly missed by his family and countless friends. Gene is survived by his wife, Alice Felter of Lakeside, Arizona; daughter, Crystal Felter of Twin Falls, Idaho; 7 grandchildren: Alize Annette Felter, Valerie Alexis Jimenez, Dean Angel Jimenez, Joshua Sabastian Jimenez, Pricilla Amber Serine Jimenez of Twin Falls, Idaho, Ashley Marie Hastings, Nicholas Hastings of Amarillo, Texas and 1 sister, Linda Jo Felter of Tucson, Arizona. Along with his parents, Gene was preceded in death by a step-son, Victor Ray Hastings, Jr. and a step-grandson, Ricky Ray Hastings. Gene was also survived by many friends. Gene will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at the Lakeport Cemetery in Lakeport, Michigan.