Lionel "Gene" Eugene Rownd

Lionel Eugene Rownd, known by most as Gene, passed away on Sunday, June 24, 2018 in Hammond, LA at the age of 99. He was born March 12, 1919 to Leslie Eugene and Sallie Sibley Rownd in Springfield, LA. After graduating from Springfield High School in 1936, he served a tour in the CCC. In 1940 he graduated from the Louisiana State Police Academy as a State Trooper. In 1942, he entered the Army as a Private, was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1943, served two years in the Pacific Theater, was with the 27th Infantry Division through the invasion of Saipan, and later served on the Staff of Western Pacific Base Command Headquarters. After World War II, he remained active in the Army Reserve, holding several positions and Commands. At the time of his retirement in 1973, he had been Commandant of the 4157th U.S. Army Reserve School for several years. He is a graduate of a number of Army schools, including the United States Army Command and General Staff College. In civilian life, he was in the Life Insurance and Securities business for many years. He was a member of the National Association of Life Underwriters, a Registered Representative of the National Association of Securities Dealers, and a Charter Member of the Florida Parishes Estate Planning Council. Active in Civic and Church affairs, he is a former Director of the Chamber of Commerce, Past President of the Hammond Rotary Club, Past President of the Tangipahoa Chapter of the Reserve Officers Association, and a long-time active member of the First United Methodist Church. Gene enjoyed several hobbies including woodworking, guitar, harmonica, traveling throughout the United States, genealogy, and golf. He is survived by his wife of 31 years Rosemary Maner Rownd; stepson, Vince Causey and wife Panda; sister, Myrtle Durand; grandchildren, Joshua Hyde, Rochelle Lucas, Hank Causey, Vin Causey Jr, and Clayton Causey; and great-grandchildren, Dylan Lucas, Zachary Lucas, Caroline Hyde, and Christian Hyde. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Sallie Rownd; sister, Georgie Henkel; and daughter, Sharon Rownd. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation at at the First United Methodist Church, located at 2200 Rue Denise, Hammond, LA 70403 on Thursday, June 28, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Hammond, LA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gene’s memory to First United Methodist Church in Hammond, LA.

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Lionel "Gene" Eugene Rownd

March 12, 1919 - June 24, 2018