Gene Dwight Brown was born in Rising Sun, Ohio, on August 15, 1944, to parents Yvonne Dahms and George Brown, both deceased. He passed away on April 14, 2026, at Rust Medical Center in Albuquerque, NM, from severe sepsis caused by extreme immunocompromise. His demise was fairly sudden, and he was kept as comfortable as possible. His wife of 58 years, Anita Irene Caraveo, was by his side.

Gene was one of six children. He was preceded in death by his sister, Sandra Berhal (Ohio), and his brother, William Brown (Rio Rancho, NM). He is survived by his brothers, Jerome Brown (Albuquerque, NM) and Jan Brown (Kay) (Regina, NM), and his sister, Vicki Barnthouse (Rotunda West, FL). Gene is also survived by sons Aaron Brown Caraveo (Amy) (Charlotte, NC) and Nathan W. Brown (Rio Rancho, NM), and daughter Suzanne Pebley (Michael) (Knoxville, TN). He has five grandchildren: Keara Weiner (Casey) (TN), Jay, Ryan, and Mason Brown (Rio Rancho, NM), and Gabriella Caraveo (Charlotte, NC). He has one great-granddaughter, Maeve Weiner (NC). Gene has numerous cousins (Richard Dahms, Judy Fremont, Ohio), nephews, and nieces.

Gene lived a long, eventful life. He grew up on a dairy farm in Greenwich, Ohio, and graduated from South Central High School. He joined the Navy and was on active duty until 1964. He was a police officer in Fremont, Ohio, and also in Albuquerque, NM. He worked for Southern Union Gas in Albuquerque, NM, as a plumber pipefitter, had an HVAC business in Moriarty, NM, a vinyl swimming pool business in Albuquerque, NM, and a water-heater business in Rio Rancho, NM. Gene was a member of Local 412 Plumbers and Gasfitters in Albuquerque, NM, for several years and traveled for them to work.

Gene worked for the General Electric Aircraft Engine plant in Albuquerque, NM, and retired from there in 2005. In the early 1980s, he was also in the Navy Reserve in Albuquerque, NM. He and his wife lived in Paradise Hills, Albuquerque, NM, for 38 years and moved to Rio Rancho, NM, in 2008. 

Gene had many interests and enjoyed many experiences. He loved to fish and had a 46-ft sailboat on the Texas Gulf for several years. He and his wife also have a 41-ft motorhome that they traveled the U.S. in. They have 5 acres of farmland in Tennessee.

Gene endured and recovered from various surgeries and illnesses over his lifetime. His friends and family said he was a “cat with nine lives.” But although he seemed to conquer non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, ultimately his treatment led to his demise. He said a few days before his passing that he was satisfied that he had accomplished and experienced so much in life.

Gene had many friends and acquaintances. He was always ready and available to help anyone out, no matter what they needed. He will be missed by many people.

At his request, Gene was cremated. A “Celebration of Life” will be held in his honor on June 20th, 2026.