
Paul Eugene Wadford, Jr. 72 of Mesa, AZ passed away in the early morning hours of October 15th, 2011. Gene was born on April 20th, 1939 in Winston Salem, NC to late Novella and Paul Eugene Wadford, Sr. He was preceded in death by his parents, his system, Lynn Cruey and his brother, Glenn Wadford. He is survived by his sister Jane Pletka. Gene was the loving husband of Judy Wadford, a loving father to 2 sons, Wesley Marchetti and Greg Wadford, a daughter, Kim Kuhl and 2 step-children Chris Spangler and Lindsay Spangler O’Hara. He also had 9 grandchildren that he loved dearly – Amber, Aviana, Kyle, Stephanie, Garrett, Peyton, Devin, McKenna and Gage.
He was a Vietnam War Veteran who served in the Marines for 2 years and the Air Force for 25 years before retiring in 1983. Upon his retirement from the Military, Gene as a lifelong Boy Scout and scouting volunteer, was fortunate enough to begin a second career in the profession he loved – the Boy Scouts of America, until his “official” retirement in 2008.
Throughout both of his careers he earned numerous commendations and awards and was held in very high esteem by all those around him. Words cannot express the wonderful life he lived and the magnitude or impact and influence that he had on the lives of both the young and old whose pleasure and honor it was of knowing him. He will be greatly missed.
Therefore to honor the memory of Gene and his enduring spirit and to perpetuate his legacy, each year the trophy awarded to the winning team of the DVGC will be named the Wadford Cup.