Gene Hollis Merklin, born Dec. 1, 1928, in Iowa Falls, Iowa, died on Saturday, June 21, at his home in Tacoma, Washington.

Gene was an Air Force veteran, serving during the Korean War. He had a long career as a printer at newspapers across the country, working prior to his retirement at the Tacoma News Tribune.

Gene loved the jazz of the big bands that he grew up with. His father played the saxophone professionally, and Gene dabbled in the trumpet. He spent much of his time with music and movies. He had a collection of jazz albums and a large library of favorite films on VHS videotape. Another of his great interests was cars. He could be found most days "wrenching in the garage," and repaired and resold cars until the day he died.

He is survived by a son, Michael Merklin of Des Moines, Iowa; a daughter, Kathleen Thacker of Dallas, Texas; and two grandchildren, Trevor and Shelby Thacker, also of Dallas. He was preceded in death by his mother, Clarissa Sandusky of Kansas City, Missouri, and his father, Leonard Merklin of Fort Dodge, Iowa.