Gene Roger Desmartin, Sr.

Gene Roger “Big Gene/Big Papa” Desmartin passed away on October 29, 2025, at his home in McAlpin, Florida. Gene was born October 20, 1958, in Loveland, Colorado. Gene grew up in and around Davie and Cooper City, Florida and graduated from Cooper City High School. He married his high school sweetheart Jeanene Cook in 1976.

Gene spent much of his teenage and young adult life working on dairies, which was a good fit for him as Gene loved spending time with animals. Later in his life, he was also a heavy equipment operator and ran a land development business for a number of years, which allowed him to spend time outdoors and work alongside his brother Jerry.

Gene and Jeanene raised their family in McAlpin, Florida. His memory will be cherished by his wife Jeanene, his children Carl (Joanne), Lori (Dustin), and Sara (David), his grandchildren Kyla, Kayla, Matthew, and Abigail, his siblings Jim and Janice, and his many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Gene is preceded in death by his father Clement Desmartin, his mother Billie Desmartin, and his brother Jerry Desmartin.

Gene will be missed greatly by his family and by his pet chihuahua, Ziva. He enjoyed feeding Ziva beef jerky and taking her on car rides into town. Gene was a friend to many animals throughout his life; he once saved a family of burrowing owls and enjoyed feeding deer, turkeys, hummingbirds, and armadillos in his yard. He had many pets throughout his life, including a herd of basset hounds, several boston terriers, cats, and two pugs. If you had a question about animals, Gene was a good one to ask.

A private memorial service will be held for the family.

Please keep his family in your prayers today and the days ahead.