of Little Rock, AR
March 31, 1948 - January 28, 2023
Gene Lee Bangs was born in Booneville, Arkansas on March 31, 1948 to Roy L. and Helen A. Bangs. Gene grew up with his siblings on a dairy farm in Ferguson Valley, working and learning the value of hard work. He graduated from Booneville High School where he played for the Booneville Bearcats football team, went on to receive his Bachelor of Science degree from Arkansas Tech, then on to Graduate School at the University of Arkansas, where he earned his Master's Degree. He began his career in July 1977 as one of the first Forensic Chemists employed at the Arkansas State Crime Lab, playing an instrumental role in drug analysis and instrument maintenance. Gene retired from the Crime Lab in April 2016. He was a devoted, caring co-worker, considering his fellow employees as his family, even after retirement. He was well known in his field throughout Arkansas and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Gene remained a bachelor throughout his life.
He leaves behind his sister, Reda (Bangs) Kerr and husband, Bill J. Kerr; brother, Jackie L. Bangs; nephew, James Kevin Kellar and great-nephews, Alex Kellar and Sterling Kellar; along with his many friends and loved ones from the State Crime Lab and his Thursday night "Poker" buddies. A special thank you from his family to his honorary brother, Dan Hedges, for his devotion and love for Gene.
Visitation services will be held on Friday, February 3 from 10:00-11:00a.m. at the Roller McNutt Funeral Home in Clinton, Arkansas with funeral services following at 11: 00a.m. Interment is at Hunter Hill Cemetery in Clinton alongside his beloved parents.
To express condolences online please visit www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/clinton
I had the pleasure of meeting you in 2008 and we went from great friends to so much more. You are so missed. You are such a wonderful soul. Due to the ice we can’t make it but we’re celebrating you’re life here!!! We love you so much! Rest in Love my friendâ¤ï¸
I started at the crime lab in 1997 in latent prints however we were a really small agency at that time and everyone knew each other in person in each section. I rode with Gene to many a courthouse on a trial and the funny thing was, (since he knew where he was going), he taught me a lesson how to find a courthouse in about in all the 75 counties in the state: "find the center of town then look for the antennas". I will never forget that and still pretty true today. He will be truly missed as he was strong in so many ways. Bless your family and friends.