Lawrenceville – Georgia Tech lost its biggest fan (and proudest alum) with the passing of Eugene C. Barineau on Thursday, October 27.  Gene loved his Yellow Jackets, but he treasured his family even more, who were at his side when he passed away.

A native of Clarkston, GA, Gene was born in 1932.  He was son of the late Hence C. and Margaret Rice Barineau.

Known as “Bubba” by family and childhood friends, Gene was a 1950 graduate of Clarkston High School.  He was a proud participant in Georgia Tech’s co-op program with Georgia Power Company, graduating in 1957 with a degree in Electrical Engineering.  Gene went on to spend his entire 42-year career at Georgia Power, where he moved through the ranks to become vice president of the Macon Division before coming back to the Atlanta corporate headquarters as vice president of labor relations. He retired from the company in 1994.   

Among his many accomplishments, Gene served as chairman of public affairs for the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce and also served on the boards of Citizens & Southern Bank and the Macon Opera House.  A member of First United Methodist Church of Lawrenceville, Gene was also a longtime member of Civitan International, volunteered with the Salvation Army and served on the finance committees of the churches he and his family attended.

Surviving Gene are his wife of 64 years, Dot Whelchel Barineau of Lawrenceville; daughter Janet Jacobs and her husband Jim of Lawrenceville; son Ben Barineau and his wife Cara of Atlanta; grandchildren Neal Jacobs of Bethlehem, GA, Laura-Ann Jacobs of Ann Arbor, MI, Brynn Barineau and husband Alceu Mauricio, Jr. of Vitoria, Brazil and Josh Barineau and wife Lauren of Decatur; great-grandchildren Audrey Barineau Mauricio of Vitoria, Brazil and Ellie Barineau of Decatur; and sister Joyce Barineau of Grayson.

In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by his sister Betty Barineau McElreath.

Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, Oct. 31 at First United Methodist Church of Lawrenceville.

The family will receive friends starting at 1:00, with the service following at 2:00.

Wages & Sons Funeral Home of Lawrenceville is handling arrangements.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Association, the Heart Association or First United Methodist Church of Lawrenceville.

Friends may sign the online registry at www.wagesandsons.com.