Eugene J. ‘Gene’ ‘Dude’ Backus – Monongahela
Eugene J. “Gene” “Dude” Backus, 72, of Monongahela, Forward Township, died Wednesday, March 6, 2019, in Monongahela Valley Hospital. Born Feb. 20, 1947, in McKeesport, he was the son of the late Eugene F. and Doris Campbell Backus. After graduating in 1965 from Elizabeth Forward High School, he served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, receiving numerous medals including the Army Commendation Medal and Sharpshooter. He also served with Honor Guard while stationed at Fort George G. Mead in Maryland. He retired in 2002, after 32 years of working for Dominion Resources (People’s Natural Gas) as a station engineer and was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Elizabeth Township. Surviving are his wife, Karen Hempfield Backus, whom he married, Oct. 1, 1966; a son, James E. Backus (Brenda) of Monongahela; a brother, Joseph Backus; two sisters, Patricia (Leon) Massey of California and Kathleen “Kathy” (Gary) Oates of Belle Vernon; three grandchildren, Joey, Shila and Jerrod Boor; two great-grandchildren, Raiden Driscoll and Joey Boor Jr.; a brother-in-law, Brad Higinbotham of California and two sisters-in-law, Nancy Clingenpeel of Vanderbilt and Kathy (Thomas) Cameron of New Eagle; along with many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death was his brother, Dennis Backus; and a sister Mary Higinbotham. Friends will be received at the MARSHALL MARRA FUNERAL HOME, 216 Chess St., Monongahela, 724-258-6767, marshallmarrafunerahome.com, from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, where services will be held 9 a.m. Thursday, March 14, with Father Patrick Barkey officiating. Interment will follow in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Bridgeville, with military honors conducted by the Mon-Valley Honor Guard and Firing Squad.
