Massey, Browdis Eugene "Gene"

KANNAPOLIS Browdis Eugene "Gene" Massey, 79, of Salisbury, formerly of Kannapolis, passed away Saturday, June 22, 2019, at the VA Medical Center. He was born Aug. 27, 1939 in Durham, a son of the late Forrest Briggs Massey and Dorothy Triece Massey. Gene graduated from A.L. Brown High School in 1957, where he played football. He then went to UNC Chapel Hill and played football there. Gene enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Vietnam War era. Gene owned and operated Massey Plumbing for many years. He went back to UNC-Charlotte and graduated with a degree in Psychology in 1978. Gene helped develop the Coltrane Life Center for Senior Care and became a Pioneer Assistant Coordinator for 18 years. He also helped develop and became an Assistant Director and Covenant Pioneer for the elderly dementia patients through the Coltrane Life Center. He became an advocate for Multiple Sclerosis groups and was on the national list for any testing and experimental drugs to help the fight against M.S. Gene was a member of Center Grove Lutheran Church in Kannapolis, where he had been very active in earlier years. Gene was an avid Carolina Panther fan. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., today, Wednesday, June 26, at Whitley's Funeral Home Chapel officiated by the Rev. Lloyd Ginn. Inurnment will follow at Carolina Memorial Park Plaza Mausoleum with military honors. His family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m., at Whitley's, prior to the service. Gene is survived by his daughter, Kim Baucom; grandchildren, Lauren Alexander, Spencer Baucom; great-grandchild, Piper Kennon; two sisters, Janelle Murray and Jan Query and several nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to Center Grove Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com. Whitley's Funeral Home is assisting the Massey family.