"Gene" Edward Eugene Arms

   Edward Eugene “Gene” Arms, 94, of Rubyville, a longtime Portsmouth resident, passed away on Monday, March 4, 2024, at Legacy Chillicothe Nursing Home. Gene was born on August 28, 1929, in New Boston, the son of the late William Edward and Eva Dale Arms.

   After graduating from Glenwood High School in 1947, Gene began working at Emrick Funeral Home and soon met and married Betty Lipker, a nursing student at General Hospital.  The two soon married and were blessed with three children.

  Gene attended Cornerstone Methodist Church, and the former Franklin Avenue Methodist Church and First EUB. He often drove the church bus, picking up parishioners on Sunday morning and later drove recovery patients.

   He was very active in Civic Forum and the Boy Scouts of America, and received the prestigious Silver Beaver Award for his contributions to scouting. He was also a member of the Aurora Masonic Lodge #48 F&AM, and the Scottish and York Rites. He had many interests, including photography, birdwatching, and electronics. Gene also enjoyed bowling, had a Go-Kart dealership at one time, and he acted as the announcer for the Glenwood High football team his senior year.

   Gene retired after 42 years with the former General Telephone Company, where he worked in nearly all positions, including switchman, installer, and telephone technician. Gene was very proud that, at one time or another, he likely serviced every commercial account in Scioto County.

   In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by his first wife and mother to his children, Elizabeth Jane “Betty” Lipker Arms on November 24, 2014; and his second wife, Myrtle Delores Tingler Arms, on August 22, 2015; an infant brother, Julius Woodrow Arms; his son-in-law, Timothy M. Swords; and a great-granddaughter, Gabrielle Marie Palmer.

   Surviving are his children, Ricky Allen (Susan) Arms of Chillicothe, Stephen Craig (Michelle) Arms of Canal Winchester and Leigh Ann Swords of Chillicothe; six grandchildren, Tracy Arms, Jason (Christina) Arms, Melissa (Kenny) King, Sarah (David) Ziegler, Blair Arms and Mary Beth (Kevin) Richards; and 12 great-grandchildren, Alecia, Alexis, Austin and Aubrey Arms, Ethen and Rebecca Palmer, Hannah and Andrew Ziegler, Liam and Lucas King, and Gregory and Sydney Richards; and his extended family at the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home.

   The family will receive friends at the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home on Thursday, March 7, 2024, from 5 to 7 P.M. A Masonic Service will be conducted by the Aurora Masonic Lodge at 7 P.M.

   The Funeral Service will be held immediately following the Masonic Service with Pastor Aaron Long officiating.

   Committal services will be conducted at 10 A.M Friday at Memorial Burial Park. Those wishing to attend may gather at the funeral home by 9:30 A.M. Friday to go in procession.

     In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Boy Scouts of America, Simon Kenton Council, 991 E. Main St., Chillicothe, OH 45601.

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