Leslie "Gene" Fooks

Leslie "Gene" Fooks, 87, of Alamosa St., Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away October 31, 2009 at Lakeview Christian Home. Visitation will be 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM, Friday, November 6, 2009 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, November 6, 2009, 2:30 PM, at Denton-Wood Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Terry McKean officiating. Interment will follow in Carlsbad Cemetery, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Carlsbad Veterans Honor Guard will provide military honors. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Leslie "Gene" Fooks was born November 22, 1921 in Texico, New Mexico to Mack Churchill and Rosa Katoria (Miller) Fooks. His military career was as a Lieutenant in the US Army Air Corps during WWII. Following the military he attended Abilene Christian University graduating in 1948 and then he began his work as a minister of the gospel. Gene retired from the ministry in 1970, but continued as Chaplain at Lakeview Christian Home for 18 years. He is the author of five books: The Tipton Home Story, Select Stores By Christians, Fellowship of Believers, The Desert Queen (a book of poems) and the most recent book, The Pre- Atomic Age. He was a member of several civic organizations while here in Carlsbad, including Lions Club, Friday Focus, VFW, American Legion and Ministers Alliance, just to name a few. He will be remembered as a loving man of principal, courage, conviction and faith. His hobbies included volunteer work, gardening, writing, bible study groups and photography. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mack and Rosa Fooks; four sisters and six brothers. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Jean Fooks of Carlsbad, NM; two daughters: Jackie Fooks of Bakersfield, California and Kathy Gage and husband, Larry of Portland, Oregon; three grandchildren: Brian Gage and wife, Robin of Marina Del Rey, California, Derek Gage of Atlanta, Georgia, Leslie Gage of Atlanta, Georgia and nephew, Ken Vanderslice of Duncan, Oklahoma. Pallbearers will be Larry Gage, Derek Gage, Rick McKean, John Russell, David Long and Don Patterson. Should friends desire, memorials might be made Lakeview Christian Home, 1905 W. Pierce Street, Carlsbad, NM 88220. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.