Ernest "Gene" Hanes

Ernest "Gene" Hanes, 79, of Houma, died Friday, Sept. 14, 2007, at 5:40 p.m., just short of his 80th birthday, after a long illness. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to service time today at Chauvin Funeral Home. Military service and celebration of life will be at 5:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Smith Hanes of Houma; one son, William E. Hanes II of Houma; two daughters, Tauny Prejeant and husband, Mike, of Houston and Jeannie Chretien and husband, Steve, of Kingwood, Texas; one brother, Oliver Leanard of Farmersville; two sisters, Margie Parker and Theresa Mardis of West Monroe; four grandchildren, Chad and Lauren Prejeant and Nick Chretien of Houston and Sindra Hane Dupre and husband, Travis, of Houma; and two great-grandchildren, Andrew Dupre and Kristen Marcel of Houma. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Ernest Hanes and Thelma Yelverton Hanes; and one brother-in-law, the Rev. John Parker. He was a retired civil engineer for 38 years with Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co., Tenneco/El Paso. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and received several commendations, Asiatic Pacific Theater, Victory ribbon. He was a nondenomination Christian and a member of Assembly Church of God. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and gunsmith, and his favorite hobby was golf. He was a loving father and took great pride in his legacy -- his three children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed.