Gene Albert Blakley, 89, of Kennesaw, Georgia, passed away on the afternoon of Sunday, December 31, 2023. Gene was born in Thomaston, Georgia on June 21, 1934 to Lucy Howell and JD Blakley. Gene married his high school sweetheart, Joann. They enjoyed over 65 years of marriage. Gene is proceeded in death by his parents, wife and sons, Al and Michael Blakley. He is survived by his daughter, Roxie Hall, and seven grandchildren: Shoney Lowery, Jeania Smith, Tanya Staton, Michelle Blakley, Katie Wade, Micheal Blakley and Melissa Mowry as well as 10 great grandchildren.

Gene proudly served in the United States armed forces. He began his career in the Navy after graduating high school and later transferred to the Air Force. He worked his way through the enlisted ranks while going to college at the University of Georgia, where he earned a bachelor's degree in electronic engineering. He continued his education by earning a master's degree in education. In 1973, he was commissioned to a captain's status as he took on the role as head of the communications for the Georgia Air National Guard at Dobbins AFB. He excelled in his Air Force career reaching the working rank of Lt. Colonel, and he earned the rank of Colonel when he retired on June 21, 1994.

Gene continued his education and obtained his Ph.D. from the U.S. Military College.

Gene worked to educate others as well. He had a long career with the Cobb County school system heading up the Diversified Cooperative Training (DCT) program. He taught primarily at South Cobb High School until his retirement. While he was teaching full time and going to school to improve his education, he also taught night classes in electronics at Cobb Vocational Tech in the 60s and 70s.

Gene loved serving and helping others. He was a lifelong mason and Kennesaw Mountain Shriner. He could often be found on his free weekends driving his double zero "00" midget in parades around the Southeast.

His hobbies included gardening at his home in Kennesaw, hunting and fishing with his boys and construction work; he built a cabin on Lake Allatoona and a cedar log cabin in Taylor County, from which he harvested the cedar logs himself. He was a lifelong member with the Minutemen Recreation Association, where he served as president for many years.

Gene remained a lifelong member of Antioch Methodist church in Thomaston. With his life centered in Cobb County, nothing gave him more pride than having his kids and grandkids share Easter service at Antioch beside his mother.

The family will receive friends and visitors on Sunday, January 7, 2024 at 2:00pm - 5:00pm at Marietta Funeral Home. Mr. Blakley will be laid to rest at Georgia National Cemetery on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 11:00am.