After 65 years, Gene Smallwood has officially put down his scissors and clippers after cutting his last client's hair Sat., June 24 at his barber shop in downtown Eaton.
William Eugene Smallwood, 86, known to his customers as "Mean Gene, the cuttin' machine", was born Sept. 10, 1936 in Missouri. His family moved to Colorado when he was two years old. Gene attended school at Buell, Eaton and Greeley High.
When Gene was 17 years old, he joined the U.S. Navy and became a Navy Seebee in February of 1954. After boot camp, he spent a year each on Adak, Alaska (one of the Aleutian Islands), Midway Island, and Coronado Island in California, working as a heavy equipment operator.
He earned the degree of "skill driver" and "chauffeur examiner" in 1956. He was awarded a "Good Conduct" medal and served in the Color Guard. Gene was honored to be selected to drive the staff car for the No. 1 Four-Star Admiral while on Midway Island.
Gene became interested in barbering while cutting hair for some of his buddies during his military enlistment.
On June 26, 1955, while Gene was in the service, he married his high school sweetheart, Janice Meeker, at the First Baptist Church in Eaton. They were together in California; and after he was honorably discharged in September 1957, they moved to Denver where he attended and graduated from State Barber College in April 1958.
They moved to Eaton where Gene began his life-long career.
When Gene started working in the shop, men's haircuts were $1.25 and kids cuts were $1.00. At the time of his retirement, all cuts were $15.00.
He has cut all kinds of hairstyles over the years and really enjoyed his work and the clients he served. From the beginning of his career up until his retirement, loyal families continued to have Gene cut their hair — eventually, many of those family members represented fourth and fifth generation clients!
Gene was involved in many community organizations throughout the years. He served as a Cub Scout Master, was president of the Eaton Lions Club, and a member of the Lions District Council.
He was a volunteer fireman, and president of the Eaton Band Boosters. He served as vice-president of the Windsor Boat Club.
He accompanied and served as a guardian for nine World War II Veterans on the first Honor Flight from Northern Colorado to visit the war memorials in Washington, D.C.
He is still a member of the Northern Colorado Model A Club.
In 1967, during Eaton's Diamond Days, a celebration of Eaton's 75 years of history from 1892 to 1967, Gene presided as "Judge Roy Gene" — a comical role in which he ruled over the events of that celebration — and had great fun doing it!
Gene and Jan were honored as Eaton Days Grand Marshals July 14, 2018, the same year he celebrated his 60th anniversary at the barber shop.
The Smallwoods raised a family of three children: Mike (Toni) Smallwood of Johnstown; Brenda (Roger) Zimmerman of Johnstown; and Brian (Lanay) Smallwood of Eaton.
They have been blessed with nine grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Spending time with their family has always been a joy.
Throughout the years, Jan and Gene have enjoyed doing special things together, including touring with their motorcycle and Model A car, camping, water skiing, and square dancing for many years, bowling, entering and/or visiting vintage car shows, and playing cards with friends.
They have also para-sailed in Mexico, traveled overseas, and enjoyed an Alaskan cruise. They've zip-lined in the mountains, and for Jan's 75th birthday, they went skydiving!
Gene and Jan are members of the Evangelical Free Church of Eaton.
The Smallwoods have seen many changes take place in Eaton over the past 65 years, and they feel blessed and grateful for all the good friends, good times and good support of Gene's business.
Those wishing to extend their best wishes to Gene may do so by mailing a card or letter to him at 40 Birch Ave., Eaton, CO 80615. He would certainly enjoy reading any memories you'd like to share.
— Bruce Bormann is the publisher of the North Weld Herald, where this story originally appeared
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