Lowell E. ‘Gene’ Joy, 84, a longtime Skagit Valley resident passed away at his home in Mount Vernon on Thursday, June 7, 2018.

Gene was born on September 18, 1933 in Atkinson, NE, the son of Luther & Edna (Day) Joy.  As a young boy Gene’s family eventually settled in Birdsview and he attended school in Concrete, graduating from Concrete High School in 1951.

On August 14, 1952 he was united in marriage to Ailene Sperry. They made their home in Samish/Prairie community.  Ailene passed away in 1991, and Gene later married Beverly Pyatte and they made their home in Mount Vernon.

Gene began a long career as a truck driver in the mid 1950’s, working for Dickinson Logging, Rowland Pole Co. and for Russ Pike. He took a break from driving, operating JHC Shake for a few years, returning to driving with Bob Hillier, for whom he drove for over 30 years.

Gene served as Fire Chief and was an active member of the Prairie Volunteer Fire Department for 29 years; he was a 15 year member and current President of SWITMO (Skagit-Whatcom-Island Trail Maintenance Organization); he enjoyed spending time with his family and he enjoyed yard work and tending to his vegetable & flower garden.

Gene is survived by his wife Beverly at the family home in Mount Vernon; sons, Mike Joy and wife Janet of Sedro-Woolley and Randy Joy and companion Carol Harris of Clear Lake; daughter, Maxine Mills and husband Caven of Sedro-Woolley; brother, Rollin Joy and wife Peggy; sisters, Miriam Allenvu and husband Vern and Shirley Lambert and husband Jim and half-brother Max Joy; four grandchildren, Toby Ozaki, Derek Dawson Erin Balam and Kim Mellich; seven great-grandchildren, Madison & Trevor Ozaki, Ira Dawson, Conner & Madilyn Mellich and Addison & Cohen Balam and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Ailene and several extended family members.   Memorials in Gene’s honor are suggested to SWITMO, 13595 Avon Allen Road, Mount Vernon, WA  98273.

A Life Celebration potluck gathering will be held on Sunday, June 24, 2018 at 2:00 PM at the Sedro-Woolley Community Center.  Private inurnment will be at the Saxon Cemetery.