Eugene Barradas

Eugene G. Barradas, 89, formerly of Tomahawk, died Thursday, December 9th, 2010 in Early Branch, South Carolina. Gene was born Sept 9, 1921, in San Leandro, California. He graduated from high school in San Leandro, California in 1939, and enrolled in San Francisco Jr. College in 1941. He served overseas in the army from 1943-1946 in the Philippines and Japan. He was wounded in the Philippines, and was honored with the WW2 Victory Medal with a bronze star, and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal. While attending military school in Two Harbors, Minnesota, he met Helen Hiltunen whom he married in 1945. Gene received a B.S in Chemical Engineering in 1947 from the University of Minnesota. Following his graduation, he and Helen moved to San Leandro, California. They had one son, David, in 1953. Helen passed away in 1960. Subsequently, Gene and David moved to Ontonagon, Michigan where Gene worked as Superintendent of the Hoerner Waldorf Paper mill. He was an Eagle Scout, an achievement he took great pride in. In 1963, he married Irene Riedel, a Tomahawk native. After retirement in 1986, they moved to Tomahawk, Wisconsin. Gene enjoyed fishing, golfing, and woodworking, and was an extremely talented artist, excelling in oil painting, especially portraits and landscapes. He and Irene were members of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and also frequented the St. Augustine parish in Harrison. They were very involved in the Tomahawk Historical Society. They coordinated displays for the museum and floats for the town parades. Gene was a tireless worker for the Historical Society endeavors. He and Irene enjoyed entertaining at their homes in Tomahawk and Ontonagon. Both were dog lovers, always having at least one West Highland Terrier. They liked simple things like building bonfires on the beach and staying up late watching for northern lights. In 2007, Gene and Irene moved to Early Branch, South Carolina, to live with Gene's son and daughter-in-law, David and Sharon. There they enjoyed being able to spend time with the grandchildren and great grandchildren, and Gene continued to paint. Irene died on 8/1/2009. Gene died peacefully at home on December 9th, 2010, surrounded by family. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, David and Sharon Barradas, 6 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, sisters- and brother-in-law, Elaine Kahn, Kate (John) Kelley, and Rita Sparbel, as well as many nieces and nephews, and countless friends. He was greatly loved by all and will be sorely missed. A Memorial Service for Gene Barradas will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 6, 2011 from St. Mary Catholic Church in Tomahawk. Fr. John Anderson will officiate. The family will receive friends at the church on July 6th from 9:30 a.m. until the hour of Mass at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Tomahawk.