Eugene Albert Cutright

Eugene Albert "Gene" Cutright died peacefully at his home on Wednesday afternoon, January 24, 2018, after a debilitating illness of almost 3 years. He was born on January 26, 1934 in Seminole, OK to Albert Henry Cutright and Emlue Lourine Conner Cutright, and he grew up in Lake Charles, LA. During his formative years, he attended the First United Methodist Church of Lake Charles with his family, became an avid swimmer, obtained "Life" rank in the boy scouts, was a member of the masonic youth organization (DeMolay). He learned early on the importance of being responsible and held various jobs like delivering papers, working in a grocery store, etc. Upon graduation from Lake Charles High School, he was awarded a five-year scholarship to Georgia Tech by PPG. While at Georgia Tech, he was involved with the Society of American Military Engineers, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and the American Chemical Society. He was also an active member of the Wesley Foundation and Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. In 1957, he graduated from Georgia Tech with a BS in Chemical Engineering and a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, having gone through R.O.T.C. He was promoted to Captain in 1964. In 1958, he was selected to oversee the Army group traveling from Fort Hood, TX by train and ship to Frankfurt, Germany. One of the stories he enjoyed telling friends was about his meeting with Elvis Presley, who was assigned to his group, saying, "I took Elvis to Germany." He was stationed on active duty in Hanau, Germany, and as commanding officer of a float bridge company, he led maneuvers on the Rhine, the Main and other rivers in the country. He also met his future wife, Midge Lippy, who was working for Army Special Services as a Recreation Director planning activities for our servicemen abroad. In 1960, he returned to U.S., married, and went to work for Monsanto Chemical Company in Charleston, WV. His two sons, Eugene Albert "B.G." Cutright, Jr. and Harry Gilmore "Gil" Cutright, were born there. He was always devoted to providing for and supporting them and his wife. He enjoyed traveling with his family during vacation periods when his sons were growing up, and he loved traveling extensively abroad with his wife in the years after his retirement. He helped his sons with their schoolwork, particularly math where he was an "expert", and he helped teach them to swim, play tennis and golf, and enjoy other sports and outdoor activities. He also supported and encouraged his older son to gain the rank of Eagle scout and served as his younger son's Cub Scout Pack Master. In 1970, after a year in New Orleans, LA, he left Monsanto and accepted a position with Betz Laboratories, Inc. headquartered in Trevose, PA. Given a choice, he decided on Macon because of his love of Atlanta. He was very successful in his chosen profession. As the initial plant manager for Betz' Macon plant, he oversaw the completion of the plant's construction, established its steady production operations, and was responsible for guiding its rapid business growth during his tenure as plant manager. His success prompted Betz' upper management to urge him to come to the home office as a member of the company's corporate executive team. However, he was able to negotiate the creation and his acceptance of the regional manager of the southern plants position which allowed him to remain in Macon to further the best interests of his family. After retirement, he served for a short period as Betz' International Consultant, which included a very interesting assignment in Brazil. During his life in Macon, he belonged to various organizations including the Macon Chamber of Commerce, Professional Engineers Association, and Idle Hour Country Club. He was an excellent swimmer as well as an avid tennis player - being a member of a foursome which lasted over 40 years. Upon retirement, he had time to play golf. He will be remembered not only as a devoted and loving husband and father, but as a truly exceptional man who was revered by everyone who knew him - a man who went through life living by his principles. He was predeceased by his parents, his younger son Harry Gilmore "Gil" Cutright (December 11, 1979), his sister Dolores Cutright Terrell (Lake Charles), his in-laws Mr. & Mrs. Harry Gilmore Lippy, and his stepfather Edward J. Moriarty. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jeanne L. "Midge" Cutright, his elder son Eugene Albert "B.G." Cutright, Jr. (Cindy), and his sisters Eva Cutright Bourdier (Lake Charles), Lourine Cutright Baff (West Monroe, LA), and several nieces and nephews. Funeral service: Sunday, February 4, 2018, at 3 PM, Vineville United Methodist Church, Macon, GA. Visitation: Saturday, February 3, 2018 from 5 to 7 PM, Hart's Mortuary - Cherry Street, Macon, GA. Burial will be private on Monday, February 5, 2018. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice. Hart's Mortuary and Crematory, 765 Cherry Street, has charge of arrangements.

The family will greet friends Saturday, February 3, 2018 at Hart's Mortuary Chapel, Cherry Street from 5:00PM-7:00PM.