Eugene ("Gene") Elzy

Eugene “Gene” Elzy, 84, of Greensboro, Georgia passed away peacefully in his home at Reynolds Lake Oconee on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

Gene was born in Doniphan, Missouri on February 5, 1940. At the age of four, his family moved to Sullivan, Illinois where he grew up in the rural countryside. He excelled academically and demonstrated a strong, persistent work ethic which served him well his entire life. Eager to serve his country, Gene misrepresented his age to join the National Guard at 16 years old and served for 11 years. He graduated as Valedictorian of Sullivan High School in 1957 and then entered the chemical engineering program at University of Illinois. With a scholarship for tuition and books and one summer's work savings when he started, he worked two to three jobs each semester throughout his four years and proudly completed his undergraduate degree in 1961 with no debt. Gene met and married the love of his life, Mary Ethel Harbert, in 1964 and had two children, Brittney Marie and Nicholas Eugene.

Looking for a new adventure out west, Gene pursued a Ph.D. in chemical engineering at Oregon State University (OSU) in 1961 and completed his doctorate in 1966 followed by a brief post doctorate at Stanford University. He joined the faculty at OSU and was awarded the prestigious Loyd Carter Award in 1973 for outstanding and inspirational teaching in the School of Engineering. He taught for ten years before resigning his tenured Associate Professor position to continue his career as a business executive in the chemical industry. His leadership roles at Reichhold Chemical and National Starch and Chemical took the family across the country from Tacoma, Washington to Dover, Delaware and to Princeton, New Jersey. He retired in 2003 and has spent the last 21 years enjoying life at Reynolds Lake Oconee in Georgia.

Affectionally known as “Papa” by his six grandchildren, he became immersed in his grandchildren’s lives and served as an outstanding mentor and role model to his family. He attended his grandchildren’s competitions and special events, stayed home from vacations to spend bonding time with his infant granddaughter, drove into Atlanta twice a week for an entire summer to tutor his oldest granddaughter in physics, helped his grandson launch a successful multi-summer pressure washing business, assisted with multiple science projects, engineered the winning Pinewood Derby race car with his youngest grandson and told exciting stories of his adventures with his childhood friend Robert. He eventually wrote them down and “Eugene and Robert: The Boat” was published in 2020.

Gene served on the Reynolds Property Owners Association and was appointed to the Oconee Performing Arts Society Board where he led as Chairman for over two years. Gene loved playing golf and bocce ball with friends and spending time at home and on his boat with family, but he also loved spending his days working on projects in his workshop. His woodworking shop became a sanctuary where he’d spend countless hours on home enhancements, creative projects and, in most recent years, designing and constructing exquisite electric, acoustic and cigar box guitars.

Gene is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Walter Elzy and Ollie Mae Kelly, his brother, Paul Elzy, and his sister, Imogene Woolridge. He is survived by his siblings Carl Elzy, Leroy Elzy and Peggy Curry. He is also survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Ethel Elzy, and their daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren, Brittney, Matthew, Haley, Lindsay, Brady and Ashley Vincent in Atlanta, Georgia and their son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren, Nicholas, Meredith, Mason and Adalyn Elzy in Tampa Bay, Florida.

All are welcome to the Celebration of Life ceremony being held outdoors at 1041 Ruth’s Way, Greensboro, Georgia on Tuesday, July 16 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Pastor Becky Matheny will officiate. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Oconee Performing Arts Society at www.opas.org (please select tab In Memory of Gene Elzy) or call 706-467-6000. 

 McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.