Allen Eugene
KLUMP
Allen Eugene Klump passed away at his residence in Reno, NV on February 4, 2010. He was born AuguSt 1, 1928 to Myrtle and Virgil Klump in Gary, IN. Gene joined the Coast Guard at age 15 and served in the army in the late 1940's. He later moved to L.A. where he worked for the S.P. Railroad. He traveled extensively as an itinerant musician which took him to Alaska where he worked for BLM, Fish & Wildlife, the Alaska Railroad, as a radio D.J., and ran a bar.
He returned to Indiana and became night Manager for two bowling alleys. In 1963, Gene and Jane moved to Reno and opened Geno's Studio, a bookstore, coffee house and art gallery. In 1966, Gene co-founded Silver Circle Arts Council, attended UNR and resumed playing music. In 1969 Gene was photo lab manager for Studios Kaminsky. In 1973, Jane and Gene bought an acre of land which became Marigold Farms.
Gene was a master gardener with UNR's Extension and developed a program called "Mr. Vegetable" for school districts. In 1989, Gene started a radio career with "Mr. Vegetable's Garden Talk Line" on KQLO, retiring in 2006 from KBZZ. He received a National Broadcasters Association award, taught gardening at TMCC, was Captain Sheepdip in 1970, and reported weather data to the National Weather Service. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, by his spiritual daughter Marsha, and brother Luther Freeman.
He is survived by wife Jane of 47 years, sons Shim (CA) and Steve (HI), daughters Judy, Rodeen, Linda B. of Reno and Grace (HI); nieces Kathryn, Julie, Dorita and Lynn; nephews Jimmy, Steve and John, brothers-in-law Tom Webber (IN) and Jim Webber (NV), and many extended family members. Cremation will take place. Celebration of Life will be at Garden Shop Nursery, 3636 Mayberry Dr., Sunday, February 14, 1-2 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate to a charity of your choice.