Harold "Gene" Dempsey's Obituary
Harold "Gene" Dempsey, age 79, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, passed away peacefully at home in the loving care of his children on Friday, July 17, 2026. He was born on December 15, 1946, in Columbus, Ohio, to parents James Jefferson Dempsey and C. Ernestine (Sluss) Dempsey.
After graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Navy, where he met his wife, Linda. He served on active duty for four years before serving 25 years as a Seabee in the Navy Reserves, where he retired with the rank of E7, Chief Petty Officer. He was a master machinist and retired from Pitney Bowes after many years of service. He was a long-time member of Fayetteville First Church of the Nazarene. In his retirement years, he enjoyed spending time with his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. He loved to travel and spoil his granddogs.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Linda; his parents, James and Ernestine; and his sister, Lynn Kefauver.
Gene is survived by his son, Allen Dempsey and his wife Kim, of West Jefferson, North Carolina. Two daughters, Melissa Cahill and her husband Paul of Springdale, and Erika Rogers and her husband Chris of Fayetteville; nine grandchildren, Chuck Grimes and his wife, Nakona, Christian Grimes and his wife, Felica, Caleb Grimes, Madeline Cahill, Lucas Cahill, Alyssa Grimes, Alexis Cahill, Colten Grimes, and Amelia Cahill; two great-grandchildren, Adaline and Paisley Grimes; honorary daughter, Annette French and her husband, Kevin of Springdale; honorary grandchildren, Kayla and Hannah French; honorary great-grandchildren, Lyndlie French-Mills and Amir Reed; as well as many nieces, nephews, and 5 granddogs.
The family is grateful for the many expressions of love, prayer, and support during this time.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 22, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Moore’s Chapel Funeral Home in Fayetteville. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 23, at the First Church of the Nazarene in Fayetteville, with interment to follow at Baptist Ford Cemetery, near Greenland under the direction of Moore’s Chapel.
To leave an online tribute, please visit bernafuneralhomes.com
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