EUGENE VERNON HRDLICKA

Eugene V. Hrdlicka passed away on March 1, 2023. Gene was born August 20, 1926 to Irene and Loddy Hrdlicka in New Hampton, IA. He graduated from New Hampton High School. He was active in sports as a swimmer and played softball. He also played baseball in high school and basketball in college. Gene officiated high school and college basketball for 23 years in Iowa.

Gene joined the Navy during WWII. After the war he returned to Iowa and graduated from Gates Business College in Waterloo, IA in 1947. He married Nayda Mabon in 1948 and they had six children. Gene worked as a bookkeeper for Wheeler Braun Lumber Co. While living in Iowa he enjoyed hunting and fishing.

In 1967, Gene moved to Las Vegas and met the love of his life, Jeanne Graham. They were married in 1974. They enjoyed traveling the USA, taking ocean cruises and playing cards with their children and grandchildren.

Gene was labeled a sports nut. He was either watching a game on the TV, reading about sports in the newspaper or participating in some sports activity. Gene rooted for the Boston Red Sox, Celtics and UNLV. He worked at UNLV as the Facilities Director of the UNLV Buchanan Physical Education and Athletic Complex until his retirement. Gene was a charter board member and President of the Nevada Senior Games and Olympics. He guided its growth for over 10 years while working at UNLV. He loved to participate in many events and earned over 100 medals (mostly gold). Still playing in his 80's Gene won several gold medals in the Arizona Senior Olympics. Retirement meant trying every racquet sport. He especially loved pickleball. He loved to play everyday and meet new people. Gene loved gardening and tending to his fruit trees. He enjoyed the computer and created many DVD'S of his children growing up and family vacations out West. Gene also enjoyed boating on Lake Mead and traveling to Utah to relax.

Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanne, a grandson, Corey Hrdlicka and a son-in-law, Don Wolfgram. He is survived by his six children and two step-children, Najean Wolfgram of LV, Forrest Hrdlicka (Belinda) of LV, Valerie Ellis (Don) of Solon, IA, Denise Lounsberry of Cedar Falls, IA, Craig Hrdlicka of Winnemucca, NV, Gayle Moore (Marty) of LV, Clayton Graham (Kay) of LV and Steve Graham (Sandi) of LV, also 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Sunday, July 2 from 2-4pm at Sun City Anthem Independence Center, rooms Morris and Nelson at 2450 Hampton Road, Henderson, NV 89052. Services and interment will be held Monday, July 3 at 10am at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City with military honors. In lieu of flowers please make contributions to Keep Memory Alive Foundation at Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center, 888 W. Bonneville Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89106 or Nathan Adelson Hospice, 4141 University Center Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89119.

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