Gene Clarkston

Gene Clarkston, 74, of Kingsport, went to be with the Lord on Monday, December 20, 2010. Gene was born and raised in Big Stone Gap, VA, and then resided in Kingsport, TN. He served in the U.S. Army for 4 years, stationed in Fort Bliss El Paso, TX. He attended Texas Western College in El Paso, and worked for the State of Texas. While living in El Paso he met his wife, Brenda. They moved to Kingsport, where he founded Clarkston's Welding and Car Care, working 30 years until his retirement. Then he worked for 10 years as a welder for John Deere Power Products in Greeneville, TN. He was an avid outdoorsman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Bertha Clarkston, an infant son, Spencer Eugene Clarkston, and five siblings.

Survivors include his wife of 41 years, Brenda Clarkston, of Kingsport; sons, James "Jimmy" Anderson, of Greeneville, TN, Terry Anderson, of Kingsport, and Lee Clarkston and wife, Samantha, also of Kingsport; daughters, Karen Friday and husband, Mike, of Johnson City, TN, Sharon Hager and husband, Wayne, of Wise, VA, and Teresa Clarkston, of Harlingen, TX; ten grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sister, Ramona Cox and husband, Marvin, Waynesville, OH; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 6 to 7 p.m. at Kingsport Community Church. Services will follow at 7:00 p.m., with Pastor Ron Lowe officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 508 Princeton Road, Suite #102, Johnson City, TN 37601.