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Obituaries » Gene E. Sewell

Gene E. Sewell

September 24, 1928 - June 5, 2021

Service Date: June 10, 2021

Funeral Home Memorial Services of Iowa

Church Ankeny First United Methodist Church

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Gene Eldon Sewell, Sr., 92, passed away in the comfort of his own home on June 5, 2021.

Visitation will be held from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at Ankeny First United Methodist Church (206 SW Walnut St.). Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. following visitation at the church. Burial will be at Ankeny Memorial Gardens immediately after the funeral. To view the funeral livestream, please follow this link: https://boxcast.tv/view/gene-sewell-memorial-service-dxjw3eyq8ctbmxsyybdi

Gene was born in Des Moines, IA on September 24, 1928 the only surviving child to Milo and Mary Sewell. He remained close to his parents until their deaths.

Gene attended East High School in Des Moines, IA and graduated in 1946.  In April, he attended his 70th high school class reunion at the Greenbriar Restaurant in Johnston, IA.  It was truly a special occasion as he was one of a very few surviving classmates in attendance. To have an event as remarkable as this prompted the local news media to feature the story on the evening news.

Gene was an electrician by trade and in February of 2020 he received his International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) honorary pin for 60 years of service.  This extraordinary ceremony was held in a stately banquet room at Prairie Meadows accompanied by a delicious three course meal and live music. There were many in attendance.  However, he was just one of two that were recognized for 60 years in the Brotherhood. He was a well-respected man of his trade and this was demonstrated by a standing ovation he received when accepting his 60-year pin.  He took great pride in his work and was generous with his trade, often time, by being charitable with friends and family.

Gene was a founding and honorary member of Alcoholics Anonymous in Des Moines and Ankeny, IA.  Over 60 years ago he began his crusade with AA and became responsible for starting and organizing meetings that are still in operation today. He was fondly nicknamed by his fellow members as, “Mr. AA”.  His contributions to this program are immense, long lasting, and shall never be forgotten. He will always be remembered for his wisdom, compassion, quick wit, and the ability to share his experience, strength, and hope in a style that could positively change people’s lives.

He developed a manner of living which incorporated the ideologies and precepts of the program. His wisdom and dedication to the program will continue long after his passing. He helped countless recovering alcoholics including two of his daughters who will always cherish his insights and understanding of the AA program.  To commemorate his sobriety he always carried a medallion in the front coin pocket of his pants that was inscribed with these words, “Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path.” He believed strongly in the spirituality of the AA program and because of this belief he died with over 50 years of sobriety.

Gene had a remarkable ability to encapsulate a situation with a witty retort or a verbal citation of classic poetry which was an undeniable testament of his superior intelligence. To all that bore witness to this intellectual gift stood in awe. He was a consummate gentleman and a scholar of life. To say he will be missed is an understatement and truly falls short of conveying the impact his life had on all who had the privilege and honor to have known him.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Marilyn; daughters, Lynette Young, Cody Fair, Deborah Yeager-Ames, and Julie Kyle; sons, Gene Sewell, Jr., Dr. Daniel Sewell, Brian Sewell, and Chet Sewell-Thurston; 10 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Leona; daughter, Dianna West; grandsons, Thomas Jefferson (T.J.) West and Jessie Simpson; and his great-grandson, Shaun Howe.

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