Eugene Smith Hearl

After a brief illness, Eugene S. Hearl, 93, left our world on February 14, 2025 to join his family and loved ones who passed before him. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, George and Trula Hearl; his wife, Helen Tweed Hearl; three sisters and four brothers.

Gene was born August 24, 1931 in Abingdon and graduated Greendale High School, working as a farm hand, truck driver, and soda jerk. He joined the U. S. Air Force after high school, rising to Staff Sargent as a cryptographer in Seoul during the Korean War. After the service, Gene began an almost 70-year career as a banker in Bristol, Big Stone Gap, Richlands, and Grundy working for the former Dominion / Cumberland Bank and TruPoint Bank, then finally retiring at age 90 after serving 11 years on the Board of Directors of New Peoples Bank. Many of his co-workers and employees through the years rose to executive positions in nearly every community bank throughout Southwest Virginia.

Beyond his work, Gene was a prolific church and community supporter who raised millions for several charities. He was proud to have recruited the first national fast-food restaurant to Richlands, led the fundraising to build a recreation park, a Coal Miner’s memorial, and an athletic locker room. He was most proud to have spearheaded Richlands’ first food bank that served as a model for future food banks throughout Southwest Virginia. There was not a leadership position at Richlands Methodist Church that he did not serve, as well as area-wide ministries. Gene served on many community boards from the first Coalfield Economic Development Authority, the Virginia Resource Authority, and on the gubernatorial transition committee for former Governors Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.

He is survived by his sons, Gary and Phillip, and their spouses, Connie and Marsha. He is also survived by his brother, George Hearl and his wife, Doris. Gene gave his time, attention, and treasure to his five grandchildren, Christian, Morgan, Eli, Hannah and Montana, all of whom benefited by his mentorship and almost daily interactions. He provided the same love and attention to his three step-grandchildren Alex Nicewander, Madison Turner, and Morgan Turner. For the last 20 years Gene has been supported by his loving friend, Sylvia Matney, and her children who Gene loved like his own, Robin, Calvin, LeChristie and Amy.

In the past few years Gene got to experience life through the eyes of six great-grandchildren, Peyton, Ellie, Joanna, Leo, Luke, and Banner. Gene’s life was also enriched by Jim Hammond and “late Hardee’s group” of Richlands, Rev. Clarence & Betty Dishman, Dr. G. V. Reddy, Carlton Gobble and the Board of Directors of the Good Samaritan Food Pantry, Dr. Bob Chae, the Board of Directors of New Peoples Bank, and his late friends Kirby & Eula Smith.

Serving as pallbearers will be Gene’s grandchildren, Christian, Morgan, Eli, Hannah and Montana Hearl along with his nephew, Roger Kestner. 

Gene’s family will miss his love, always open door, always being there, and to a lesser extent, his hot dogs. The world will miss his almost constant smile, his genuine concern for others, his community leadership, and his willingness to take on any task if it helps others. RIP, our good and faithful servant, and thanks for being a part of our lives.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to: the Good Samaritan Food Pantry, Holston Home for Children, or Richlands Methodist Church.

The family will receive friends on Monday, February 17, 2025, from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at the Main Street location of Farris Funeral Service. A funeral service honoring the life of Gene will be on Monday, February 17, 2025, at 8:00 pm with Rev. Devin Schultz officiating. The burial will be held on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 11:00 am at Forest Hills Memory Gardens, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, VA, with military honors provided by Shaw Air Force Base honor guard and Highlands Veterans Honor Guard. Those wishing to attend the service at the cemetery are asked to be at Forest Hills by 10:45 am Tuesday.

The family of Gene Hearl is in the care of Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).