Gene Edward Shope

"Gene Edward Shope, the third child of John Truman and Martha Ellen Shope, was born on January 23, 1959, in Wichita, KS. He grew up, and attended elementary and middle school, in Clearwater, KS. In 1975, he moved to Edmond, OK, where he attended Edmond Memorial High School and graduated in 1977. While living in Oklahoma, Gene was briefly married to Judy Roberts, and had two daughters, Angie and Robin. Later, for a short time he was married to Jayne Stallwitz and had another child, Aaron. Gene moved back to Wichita in 1981. He worked at Quiktrip from 1982-1990, where he met Joann Allen and proceeded to have 7 more children, Celeste, Fred, Meg, John, Joe, Rachel, and Sam. From 1990 to 1999, he and Joann owned and operated a cleaning business. In 1995, Gene earned his Master Gardener certification at K-State, and his love of working with plants blossomed. He spent time working for Johnsons Garden Center, then as a landscaper at the Wichita Country Club. From 2000 until 2014, he proudly worked in the Lowe's Garden Center. Since then, he has owned and operated a landscaping company, most recently managing a 10-acre lot on his own. He loved working outside, he loved the sunshine, and he loved to get his hands dirty with any yard work - whether it was fertilizing the lawn or arranging a new set of flower pots for the front porch. He loved to discuss nature, and always had a piece of trivia about any plant someone pointed out. Gene also loved his family. He loved to dote on his beloved wife, Lisa, and their fur babies. He was always open to taking in (yet) another animal, if it was in need of help and tender loving care. Gene accepted Christ as his Savior in 1972 at Clark & Water Church of Christ in Wichita. At the time of his passing, he was an active member of West Douglas Church of Christ. Gene was diagnosed with throat cancer in early 2020. Throughout the years of treatments, tests, and operations, Gene never once complained about what he was going through. He maintained a positive, hopeful outlook through the support of his loved ones, and trusted that God's will would be done. He never lost his humor, his bright, sparkling eyes, and laugh even without a voice. Each goodbye was viewed as "I'll see you later, here or in heaven." Gene went home to Jesus on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Gene is survived by his beloved wife of 14 years, Lisa; beloved children Angie Shope, Robin Shope, Aaron Shope, Celeste (Maurice) Thomas, Fred (Misty) Shope, Meg (Courtleigh) Mann, John Shope, Joe Shope, Rachel (Ian) Edwards, and Sam Shope; grandchildren, Kyle, Shane, Wesley, Elizabeth, Trace, Mickenzie, Kaylee, Brandon, Aiden, Maddelyn, Dylan, Gavin, LillyAnn, Everlyn, Annika, Elizabeth, Zoey, Adam, Amelia, Violet, Nova, and Ben, and 4 great grandchildren; step mother Karen Louise (Hatfield) Shope; sister Kathy (Colin) Curry; brother Dan (Ida) Shope; and numerous other family members. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, brother Tim, and grandchildren Courtnie and Tessa. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Friday, August 23, 2024, at Downing & Lahey West Mortuary. Funeral Service will be at 11:00 AM, Saturday, August 24, 2024, at West Douglas Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Kansas Humane Society, 3313 N. Hillside, Wichita, KS 67219 or online at https://kshumane.org