Obituary of Eugene Frank Boatman

Eugene Frank Boatman On the morning of April 12, 2012, a loving Husband, Father and Grandfather left this earth to live in eternity. Eugene Frank Boatman was born on October 31, 1947 to William and Helen Boatman and they nicknamed him "Punkin" all of his life...which he pretended to hate! He was born in Walla Walla, Washington and grew up there. On the night of his graduation from high school, Gene left his hometown to join the Navy. He was stationed in San Diego, California and worked on the USS Bridget. He then spent some time in the reserves but returned to active duty two years later. Gene then served his country on a submarine named the USS Wahoo. It is on this submarine that Gene fought in the Vietnam War twice. His expertise included electronics, radio mechanics and sonar technician. He was very proud of the fact that he was able to serve his country on a submarine in the Navy. Gene's personality was one of a kind. He was able to deliver deadpan one-liners with the expertise that made you wonder if he was serious or joking. Gene had a way about him that made people feel safe. He was mostly quiet until he had something to say, and then you better watch out. When he did open his mouth, you could count on the fact that you never knew what he was going to say, which made you want to listen all the more. Gene had a unique way of making everyone around him laugh, no matter what the circumstances were. His unique sense of humor made people listen to him even if he wasn't speaking directly to them. Gene suffered for many years with Type 1 Diabetes. This disease would cause him to experience low blood sugars to the point of his family and friends having to call 911 to help get his blood sugars to a working level. Whenever the medics would come to our home, they were excited to be there because whenever Gene came out of his "reaction," he would immediately say something funny and make the whole group laugh. No matter how bad he felt, he could make everyone around him laugh and, for this and many more reasons, he will be sorely missed! Gene was an avid ham radio buff. His love for this genre went back to his Navy days. He was never more excited than when he got to talk to someone as far away as Japan or Australia. He would come and find me wherever I was and show me on a map where he had just spoken to someone. He made a trip every year with his ham radio friends to the Ham Radio Fest where he looked forward to seeing new and old friends and all the new things that were available to use for ham radios. Gene also worked for 10 years for the Washington State Department of Licensing as a Supervisor, had his own carpet cleaning business, and at one time in his life, was a volunteer firefighter. Gene is survived by his wife of 31 years, Jacquelyn Boatman of Olympia; five children, Eugene Franklin Boatman Jr. of Olympia, Brian Eugene Boatman of Wendover, Nevada, Emily Suzanne Boatman of Olympia, Ehren Seth Boatman of Olympia, and Elizabeth Sharon Boatman of Olympia; five grandchildren; and two sisters, Shirley Grunwald of Vancouver, Washington, and Sharon Stuart of Spokane, Washington. Gene is described by most as a man who would always have a listening ear and would help anyone who needed help if he was able. Every day of his life he was able to lighten someone’s load with his wonderful sense of humor and in the way he looked at life. A memorial service in Gene's honor will be held Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at First Free Methodist Church, 1901 7th Ave NE. Please leave memories of Eugene or condolences for the family in the Guestbook below.