Davis "Gene" Eugene Rochester Sr.

Davis Eugene “Gene” Rochester, Sr., 82, of Walhalla, South Carolina, husband of Louise Oates Rochester and beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, died peacefully on February 21 in the care of Prisma Health Hospice of the Foothills at Greenville Memorial Hospital. Born in Seneca and raised in Upstate South Carolina, Gene was an entrepreneur; a self-taught master of automotive, aeronautics and electrical systems; a legendary motorsports competitor, builder, innovator and mentor; and a generous storyteller and teacher. Creative, competitive, and curious, Gene was a lifelong learner and hands-on problem solver. His career was building and repairing automotive starters and alternators for area mechanics, repair shops, and the public. His customers often gathered in his shop for advice or troubleshooting, as he was widely known for his expertise and happy to share his knowledge. Over the years, Gene built several successful businesses in North and South Carolina, including Southern Eagle Manufacturing, which produced remanufactured automotive electrical equipment. He sold many of these businesses when he was ready to tackle new opportunities. He invented a lightweight starter for small aircraft, which is still standard equipment in planes around the world. And he held several patents for automotive and aircraft parts. Whether under the hood, changing the tires, or trackside spotting on the radio, automotive racing was in Gene’s blood, from NASCAR to truck racing, to Quarter Midget and U.S. Legend Cars. He built cars driven by NASCAR greats like Johnny Allen and Bill Dennis, as well as, for local short-track racers Aaron Gailey and Mike Adams. He also helped outfit and coach his own grandson, Davis Rochester, through Quarter Midgets to an eventual Legends championship at Atlanta Motor Speedway. While crew chief for Mike Adams, they won two national Great American Truck Racing (GATR) series championships in the #97 “Junk Yard Dog,” a modified and customized big-rig bobtail truck that was featured in the 1980 movie, Smokey and the Bandit II, which starred Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, and Jerry Reed. He also built, drove, and later sold custom road trucks, including three Macks and one Peterbilt model. In his basement workshop, Gene built a Glasair “experimental amateur-built aircraft,” which he upgraded to reach cruise speeds over 300 mph. He was fearless! He was active in Eagles International, a chapter of the Family Motor Coach Association made up of Eagle Bus enthusiasts who convert buses into motor coaches. Gene converted several Eagles, which he and Louise drove to Eagle rallies all over the US. From the day he graduated Seneca High School in 1960, Gene served in the U.S. Army National Guard Seneca. For more than 40 years, he was a member of Seneca Lodge No.185 AFM and was inducted into Shriners International in November 1978. In his later years, he was a consultant and mentor for several local vocational school Automotive programs. Gene first met Louise via a series of CB radio transmissions, then soon called on her at home one Sunday afternoon. After nearly a year of dating, they “ran off” in June 1961 and got married. They were together nearly 63 years. In addition to his wife, Gene is survived by his son David Rochester (Bonnie Lake); daughters Vicki Rochester (Kevin Evatt) and Jodi Rochester (Felipe Lugo); grandchildren Samantha Rochester, Andie (Adam) Macomber, Jaime Rochester, Davis Rochester, Taylor Bright, Felipe Lugo and Sebastian Lugo; and great-grandchildren Kaiden Martin, Rosalie Macomber, Raelyn Bright, and Bowen Bright. He is also survived by a brother Cecil McCurry, a sister Christine (Davis) Oliver, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his mother Irene Rochester, stepfather Henry Rochester, father H.C. McCurry, and sisters Deborah Dickard and Kathy Rochester. Please join family and friends from 2:00pm-5:00pm on Saturday, March 16th at Seneca Baptist Church Activity Center, 1080 S Oak St, Seneca, SC. A remembrance presentation will begin at 2:30pm, followed by a celebration of the life and times of Gene Rochester. In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org or Shriners Hospitals for Children, donate.lovetotherescue.org. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.blueridgecremationsociety.com

Davis "Gene" Eugene Rochester Sr.

October 23, 1941 - February 21, 2024