Gene Bond

Lt. Colonel Gene Thomas Bond passed away on November 25, 2023 in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania at the age 94. He is preceded in death by his wife, Betty Bond and survived by three sons, Rodney (wife Debi), Michael (wife Beth), and David (wife Belinda) as well as 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He was born to Horace Bond and Emma Troy Bond (Watts) on May 2, 1929 in Polk County, Texas and met his life-long love at Sam Houston State College, Texas. They married in Conroe, Texas on June 27, 1952 – celebrating nearly 71 years together.

Gene served for over 22 years in the US Army; his first combat tour of duty was in Korea, and later served in France, Germany, and completed two combat tours in Vietnam. He also had numerous stateside assignments, including Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Lewis, Washington; and Carlisle, Pennsylvania, home of the U.S. Army War College. While in Carlisle he served as the Professor of Military Science, leading the ROTC program at Dickinson College. During this assignment, he started the ROTC program at Shippensburg University of PA and eventually retired in Carlisle. 

He was a quiet, loving, and gentle Christian man who loved his family above all else. An avid outdoorsman, he spent endless hours fishing and hunting with his boys, and spent most of his vacations camping with his family. He was a great Scoutmaster for many years as well, being a father-figure to a great many boys in the Carlisle area during the 70's. Gene and Bettye also loved traveling and spent much time in their retired years criss-crossing the United States in their motorhome. They also had the most beautiful back yard which was a sanctuary for them, especially in the later years of life. He touched the lives of so many and will be sorely missed. The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Blessed be the name of the LORD!

The interment for Gene and Bettye will be held 1:00 PM Thursday, May 2, 2024 at Arlington National Cemetery.