Eugene "Gener" Laraway

Eugene (Gener) Victor Laraway crossed the river of life into the arms of his Savior on Thursday, August 13, four days after celebrating his 71st birthday.

Gener was born on August 9, 1955, three months before his expected due date, so he only weighed 3 pounds. In 1955, it was a miracle that he lived, but he fought for life. And his mother says he hit the ground running. He loved an adventure, and he loved a challenge. That is how he lived his life. He loved fun, and he loved to have fun. That was apparent to anyone who knew him.

He attended Jamestown High School. He worked in the field of construction off and on, among other jobs. He loved being from North Dakota, and he especially loved Jamestown. He enjoyed many years of hunting with his dad and his brothers. And he was happy to have his two children, Andrea and Staci, live with him in the state that he loved. He was very proud of all of their life accomplishments.

Gener’s hobbies included spending time at the lake in the summertime and fishing, even though he didn’t eat fish. His family owned three different cabins at Spiritwood Lake for 60 years. He loved the quietness and peace that it brought to his spirit. He, his dad, and his brother, Richard, created an oasis of solitude and serenity at the last family cabin.

Gener married Vicki Otto, the love of his life. They knew one another from the time they were very young; however, God didn’t bring them back together in marriage until January 28, 2017. They were very grateful to be able to spend 9 1/2 years together, sharing their story of love and also the story of how God had worked out every intricate detail to reunite them and continue their beautiful love story.

However, he felt his greatest accomplishment in life was raising his two beautiful daughters.

Gener is survived by his wife; children, Staci Cole (Drew) and Andrea Edwardson (Eric); grandsons, Oliver and Cooper; his mother, Barbara Laraway; brothers, Kenneth Laraway (Deb), Dr. Richard Laraway, and Tom Laraway. He also leaves behind his stepchildren, Michael Gibson (Jami) and their children, Jordan, Faith, Michael, and Jacob; Anthony Gibson (Fillie) and their children, Ceinya, Kadynce, Adam, and Owen; and Tawny Camp (Jeffrey) and their children, Hudson, Emmett, and Lucy.

He was preceded in death by his father, Harold (Tank) Laraway; his grandparents, William and Gertrude Laraway and Victor and Florence Cumber; sister-in-law, Vicki R. Laraway; and sister-in-law, Kim Laraway.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Capitol Heights Baptist Church in Bismarck, North Dakota.

A celebration of life service will be held at Capitol Heights Baptist Church, 4307 43rd Ave NE, Bismarck, ND 58503, on Thursday, August 20th, at 2:00 p.m. CST, and the burial will be at Highland Home Cemetery, 3309 US 281, on Friday, August 21st, at 2:00 p.m. CST.