Eugene C. Babb

         Eugene Campbell Babb of Winchester, VA, died unexpectedly at home November 30, 2014. Born in Winchester March 14, 1925, he was a son of the late Clement E. and Martha Bird Babb.

         A graduate of Handley High School, Gene served in the US Navy during WW II, graduated from George Washington University with a degree in Psychology and served as a Personnel Specialist with the Bureau of Ships, Navy Dept. in Washington – where he met the love of his life – before returning to Winchester in 1955.

         He married June Scott on October 10, 1953, in Bedford, VA. She preceded him in death March 24, 2014.

         In 1987 he retired from National Fruit Product Co. as a Purchasing Agent. An active member of Christ Episcopal Church, he served on the Vestry, the Properties Committee, was an office volunteer and sang in the Adult choir over a period of 58 years.

         After serving as a member of City Council, he was a member and Chairman of the Social Services Board and a member of the Planning Commission and the Economic Development Commission. For a number of years he served as the Pronouncer for the local Spelling Bee and as Treasurer of the Apple Blossom Festival. At the time of his death, he was a member of Preservation of Historic Winchester, Friends of the Handley Regional Library, the Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society and a member of the Board of Mount Hebron Cemetery. He was a past recipient of the Exchange Club’s Book of Golden Deeds award.

         His favorite avocation was theatre in many forms. Over a 30 year period with the Winchester Little Theatre he served as President, appeared in over 40 productions and worked backstage on many others. For 32 years he was an active participant in the Hospital Auxiliary Follies.

         After retirement he began a 13 year career in film and TV, appearing in over 50 films and TV shows. Gene also performed each season with the Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre from its inception in 1984 until 2011.

         He is survived by two daughters, Laura Babb Hockett and her husband, Jeff, of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Martha Babb Griffin and husband, Jim, of Winchester and two grandsons, Evan and Aaron Hockett. A brother, C. Edwin Babb of Burlington, Ontario, Canada, also survives as do a number of nieces and nephews. Two sisters and four brothers predeceased him.

         The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 7, 2014, from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel.

         A memorial service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church at Noon on Monday, December 8, 2014, with the Reverend Webster S. Gibson officiating. Afterwards, friends will be received in the Parish Hall.

         Memorial contributions may be made to the Living Memorial Fund, Christ Episcopal Church, 114 West Boscawen Street, Winchester, Virginia 22601 or Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre, 1460 University Drive, Winchester, Virginia 22601.