Eugene "Gene" Greenlee

Eugene (Gene) Greenlee, a former Mayor of Clearwater, passed away peacefully at his home in Colorado Springs, CO on Thursday, November 9 with his family by his side.

Gene was born in Wichita on September 14, 1937. His parents were F. Stewart and Audrie (Gladfelter) Greenlee. He moved to Haysville with his family when he was in the sixth grade. After completing his years in the Haysville schools, it was necessary for him to make a choice of which of 3 high schools to attend since at that time Haysville did not have a high school in their district. He chose Clearwater High School where his older brother, Fred, and his sister Carol were attending. It was at CHS that he met the love of his life, JoEllen Forward.

After graduating from High School in 1956, he worked for a short time at Boeing Airplane Company. He soon joined his parents at the family business, Greenlee’s Glass Company in Wichita.

Gene and JoEllen were married in Clearwater on December 28, 1957. They lived in Wichita for a year and then made their home in Clearwater where their two daughters Kathy Jo and Cindy Jean were born.

While living in Clearwater Gene served in the City Government for 9 ½ years with 4 of those years serving as its mayor. Gene was always proud of the improvements that were made in Clearwater during his time in city government. One example was the construction of a brand-new water tower. Due to an increased workload at the glass company in Wichita, Gene and JoEllen moved to Wichita after their daughters had graduated from high school.

Gene was a member of the Clearwater Lions Club, and the family were active members of the Clearwater United Methodist Church.

In 1992, Gene and JoEllen closed the glass shop and moved to Denver where Gene became manager of a new warehouse and fabrication shop for United States Aluminum. He worked there until his retirement in 2005. After retiring, the couple sold their home in Aurora, CO, and lived and traveled in their motorhome for 3 years. They spent 5 years living in Rockport, TX before moving to Lawrence, KS before moving back to Colorado.

Gene is survived by his wife of nearly 66 years, daughters Kathy Greenlee (Deb Merrill), Lenexa, KS. Cindy Draving (Steve), Colorado Springs, granddaughter Emily Draving (Dan Laman), Louisville, CO and grandson Austin Draving, Denver.

His is also survived by his sisters Carol Mourning, Lewisville, TX, Patricia Miller, Orlando, FL and Ginger Hazen (Randy), Mulvane, KS as well as many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on Monday November 20 at 10:00 at Clearwater United Methodist Church. The visitation will be at Webb-Shinkle Mortuary on Sunday November 19 from 1-4 with family present.

Memorials may be sent to the following: Clearwater Fire Dept.; P.O. Box 453, Clearwater, KS 67026, Clearwater Historical Museum; P.O. Box 385, Clearwater, KS 67026 or Pikes Peak Hospice; 2550 Tenderfoot Hill St., Colorado Springs, CO 80906.

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