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Gene Chihak
GENE CHIHAK
Rockport, Texas
Gene Chihak, 88, of Rockport, Texas, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021.
Gene Chihak was born Feb. 28, 1933, near Kendallville, Iowa. He joined the U.S. Marines after high school and once his service was finished returned to Cedar Falls, Iowa. He married Orlene McEnroe Feb. 1, 1964, and shortly after moved to Cedar Rapids. Gene began work for Iowa Manufacturing as a crane operator where
he worked until his retirement. Gene and Orlene began wintering in Rockport, Texas, and returned as often as they could. Gene made it his permanent home after Orlene died in 2001.
There was no such thing as a stranger to Gene and he never met an animal he didn't try to feed.
He is survived by children, David Chihak Nancy Kirkendall; brothers, Arnie Chihak Gerald Chihak; sister, Marilyn Ayala; grandchildren, Michael and Gabriel Chihak; daughter-in-law, Maria Alvarez; grandchildren, Olivia and Sam Kirkendall; and son-in-law, Rob Kirkendall.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Gulf Pointe Village and Gulf Pointe Plaza for all their kindness and care.
Please send any memorials to the Humane Society and Adoption Center of Rockport-Fulton.
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