Obituaries

DeVon Eugene (Gene) Comer, committed husband and father of three, had the joy of going home to be with Jesus on Friday morning, November 6, 2026, at the age of ninety-two. Born on August 31, 1934, in Elkhart, Indiana, DeVon was a life-long railroader, avid golfer, and a follower of Jesus Christ. He retired with his wife to Tennessee in 2003.

He is survived by his children, Cinde and (Scott) Haines of Tucson, Arizona, Bonnie and (Bruce) Skolfield of Lenoir City, Tennessee, 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his wife of 70 years, Joan Comer, his son and best friend, Chuck (survived by wife Becky of Meridianville, Alabama) Comer, parents DeVon and Jessie Comer of East Lake, Ohio, and brother Dennis (survived by wife Nikki) Comer of New York.

Gene began his railroad career as an electrician’s apprentice with the New York Central Railroad (NYCRR) in Cleveland, Ohio, during which time he also served as a reservist in the US Army until 1963. His railroad career spanned from NYCRR to Penn Central Railroad/Conrail in Pennsylvania, General Electric in New York, and ended with Metro-North Railroad in Manhattan.

Gene was a soldier in the U.S. Army. More importantly, he was a soldier for Jesus Christ. Always active in their local church, Gene and Joan spent many years as part of a gospel quartet, the Humble Heirs, while living in Ohio and as Christian school teachers while living in Danbury, Connecticut. After retirement, Gene and Joan devoted their time to serving God at their church, Hickory Valley Baptist Church in Friendsville, Tennessee, teaching Sunday School, leading the choir, and serving in their church’s prison ministry. In 2016, Gene and Joan received a volunteer of the year award for their dedication in having services to share their love of Christ with folks in two Maryville, Tennessee nursing homes.