Auzie Eugene "Gene" Blevins 88, of Strong passed away on October 9, 2021 at his residence. He was born on October 11, 1932 in Shreveport, Louisiana to the late A. L. Blevins, Sr. and Mary Elnora Matthews Blevins.

At the age of 17 Gene enlisted in the United States Army and went into the Korean War with the 187 ^th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, was a Staff Sergeant in Company "B", 1 ^st Battalion, and Section Leader of three 87mm Recoilless Rifles. His Decorations include The Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Two Bronze Campaign Battle Stars, Open Campaign Battle Spearhead, and was in on the last Combat Parachute Drop in the Korean War. Gene made a total of sixteen jumps one of which was during combat. His other metals are the Parachute Badge, Korean Service Medal, Occupational OCC Metal Jap, United Nations Metal, one Bronze Service Star, and Good Conduct Metal.

After his separation from the Army Gene returned home and decided that he would attend Drones Business School in Little Rock where he met the love of his life, Mary Sue Black. They married and lived in several places before settling at their home of 60 years on the Huttig Hwy. Gene worked for KTVE as a Television Transmitter Engineer for 30 plus years. He was a true artist who enjoyed painting and wood carving.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Lloyd and Lamar Blevins.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Mary Sue Black Blevins; son, Nathan Blevins (Amy); daughters, Debra DeFee (Dewayne) and Monica McDougald (Dale); grandchildren, Conner Blevins, Caitlon Huggins (Jeremy), Jake DeFee, Matt DeFee (Kelly), Nick McDougald and Chris McDougald (Brittany); great-grandchildren, Tristan McDougald and Madison DeFee; and brothers, A.L. Blevins, Jr., Gerald Blevins and Ronnie Blevins

Visitation will be held from 12:00-2:00 PM on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at First Baptist Church of Strong.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at First Baptist Church of Strong officiated by Bro. Scotty Guillot. Interment will follow at Teel Cemetery under the direction of Perry's Funeral Chapels.

In Lieu of Flowers memorial donations maybe made to Samaritans Purse and the Wounded Warrior Project.