of Marshall, AR

June 23, 1948 - December 27, 2019

Melvin "Gene" Mann, age 71 of Marshall, Arkansas passed from this life on Friday, December 27th, 2019 at his home. He was born in Pindall, Arkansas on June 23, 1948 to Henry Mann and Isabell Lola Mills Mann.

Gene was a veteran of the United States Army, serving in Germany for his tour. This is where he found his love of lager. After his Honorable Discharge, he moved to New York, where he met the love of his life Ginny - and her 6 children. Gene's greatest love was for his family. He chose to be a Father to those not his own, adopting 2 of them along the way. He was always Daddy and Grandpa. His grandchildren completed him. He loved nothing more than to crawl on the floor and play with all of them as babies. As the grandchildren grew, he made sure to include them in the travels, spending a long, long day more than once in the car. He was often found giving chocolate and jellybeans to the grandchildren (against the parents wishes). Favorite quotes included "You writin a book?" "Why? Because it's a crooked letter." "I gar-on-tee!" and "So buttons for the red cross."

His life's work (other than his family) included working civil service at NAS Jacksonville, Florida, retiring from this in 2002 to Marshall. Gene and Ginny loved traveling the United States, particularly the western states, where he and his wife's ashes will be spread with the wild horses. Hobbies included sight-seeing, people watching, wood working, fishing, watching John Wayne or Jimmy Stewart movies, playing solitaire, keeping Ginny on her toes, and giving his mother-out-law a hard time.

Survivors include his children Nici Smith (Chris) of the home, Carrie Kinlaw (James) of Marshall, Debi Tomes (Rusty) of Cedartown, Georgia, Gene Zdenek (Darci) of Middleburg, Florida, Jackie Harris (Scott) of Lewisville, North Carolina and Paul Rossi of Fanning Springs, Florida. Grandchildren include Jenea` Horcher (Chris), Leah Currie (Ryan), Gabrielle Riley (Kyle), Levi Harris (Lauren), Emily Harris, Zachary VanHoose (Abigail), Amber Rowland, James Kinlaw Junior, Ashley Kinlaw (Jarrett), Bailey Wells-Kinlaw, Isabella Mann, Crystal Smith (Michael), Brandon Smith (Makayla), Lance Bauder (Megan) and Eliana Smith. Great-grandchildren include Marley, Chloe, Harper, Ripken Cowboy, Daniel, Peityn, Jericho, Brodie, Payson and Paxton. The family would also like to include his cousin Stella Barnes as a survivor. He has also left behind many other family members that will miss his shenanigans and orneriness.

He is proceeded in death by his parents Henry Mann and Isabell Mills Gary and stepfather Floyd Gary, the love of his life Ginny, Daughter Heidi Rossi, grandchildren Seth and Eowyn, and mother-out-law Doris Seaton.

Services will be private.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Coffman Funeral Home
923 Highway 65 North
Marshall, AR  72650
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com