Fay Eugene Badders (Gene) passed away on June 10, 2024, surrounded by his children. He is survived by his daughter – Lori (and Todd) Catmull of Spanish Fork, Utah; his daughter – Lisa (and Dean) Garner of St George, Utah: his son – Brian (and Stephanie) Badders of Elk Ridge, Utah; and son – Boyd (and Rhonda) Badders of Parowan, Utah. Sixteen grandchildren and thirty-six great grandchildren.

Gene was born March 22, 1936, in Pomona, California. His parents Louis Otto and Jenny Marie Badders had two children Joy Walker and Gene. Gene grew up on his father’s family farm. Gene’s hard work ethic started early when his father would check him out of school so he could help on the farm. Gene taught this same hard work ethic to his children who have taught it to his grandchildren, and they are teaching it to their children. What he really enjoyed was building and racing cars, with his friends in Pomona, California. He loved putting “souped up” engines into every car or truck that he owned.

In 1956 Gene’s friend Don Howe introduced him to Marilyn Alene Graff, they quickly became inseparable. Their dates varied, yet often she (a city slicker) would help him with his chores, even washing his pigs in preparation for show in the LA County Fair.

Gene and Marilyn married on December 27, 1958, in Pomona, California. He converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints which lead them to be sealed in the Los Angeles Temple on November 17, 1971. They had four children, Lori Lynn Catmull, Lisa Alene Garner, Brian Eugene Badders, and Boyd Graff Badders.

His callings in the church included High Priest group Leader, Ward Mission Leader, Priest Quorum Advisor, Activities Chairman, and Home Teacher. Gene and Marilyn’s greatest service was that which was not known by most, they took in many who were in need, to help them get back on their feet, and fed hundreds of missionaries. This included the “last supper” which was steak, baked potatoes, broccoli and cheese sauce.

Gene’s life work varied throughout his life but always revolved around what he had learned on the farm. He started a successful trucking company, hauling chemicals: while his family lived in Southern California. After fifteen years he sold his trucking company and went to work for his father. In 1974 he moved the business and his family from Montclair to Terra Bella, California in the heart of the beautiful San Joaquin valley. He grew herbs, spices, alfalfa and vegetables. Later he bought the business from his father and renamed it California Herb and Spice. He did the farming and inventing of equipment while Marilyn ran the office. They were a formidable team. Marilyn was killed in an automobile accident in 1992. Gene moved to LaVerkin, Utah in 2021. He will be laid to rest with his sweet wife Marilyn in the Vandalia Cemetery in Porterville California.

A viewing and funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 25th. The viewing will be from 10:00-10:45 AM and the funeral will begin at 11:00 am. The location for these services will be at the LDS Church 2188 East 100 South Spanish Fork, Utah. A graveside service will be held at 9:00 AM July 1st at the Vandalia Cemetery 565 East Scranton Ave Porterville, California. The family would like to give a special thanks to the Health Watch Hospice angels specifically. Jessica and Gerri, who were so helpful and treated our father with respect and dignity in his time of need.

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