Max E. "Gene" Reneau, Jr.

Max E. “Gene” Reneau, Jr. 70, Emporia, Kansas, passed away on Sunday, March 15, 2020 at his home.

Gene was born in Ottawa, Kansas on February 24, 1950, the son of Max E. (Sr.) and Betty (Hendrikson) Reneau.  He was united in marriage with Carol L. Jones on July 11, 1976 at Reading, Kansas.  She survives.

He is also survived by daughters; Sara Anderson, her husband, Duane, of Cherokee, Iowa, and Kerri Van Sickle, Orlando, Florida, son; Christopher Reneau, Emporia, sister; Peggy Santarpia, and her husband, Craig, Rio Rancho, New Mexico, and grandchildren; Joshua Anderson, his wife, Nichole, and Jeremiah and Josiah Anderson, his step-father, Lloyd Prentice, Ottawa, Kansas, and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his father; Max, Sr. and his mother; Betty Prentice.

Gene was an agent for State Farm Insurance in Emporia for 29 years and had retired 13 years ago.

He loved people and never met a stranger. Laughter and fun are the two words most commonly mentioned by people sharing memories of him. After retirement his winters were spent in south Texas where he would play golf, and make new forever friends. Summer travel filled many summer days along with camping with old forever friends.

Cremation is planned.  Memorial Services will be conducted at the First United Methodist Church, Emporia, at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, June 4, 2021. Pastor Ron Harris, of the church, will officiate.

Memorials have been established with Hand In Hand Hospice or Friends of the Emporia Animal Shelter, with contributions sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, PO Box #175, Emporia, Kansas 66801.

Condolences may be sent to the family online through the funeral home website; www.robertsblue.com