Arthur Eugene (Gene) Westlund

Gene was born in San Diego, CA in 1944. His parents were in the restaurant business while his dad worked in the airplane industry for the war effort. At age four, the family moved to the home state of Minnesota, his parents continuing in business while helping on family farms. At age eight, Gene was helping uncles with custom farming. It was here that he first learned the importance and value of hard work. Gene’s family always ate their meals together where dad would share business principles while at the same time emphasizing the importance of always treating people with the respect they deserved, each being one of God’s special creations. And he daily saw practiced the adage: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Gene excelled in Ice Hockey and Football, returned to San Diego where he graduated from High School and received his BA from San Diego State University. The Vietnam War would find him in the U.S. Marine Corp with a meritorious promotion out of boot camp and communications chief for a tank battalion.

In 1965, Gene married his wife, Janie. They were active in their church, working as counselors for Junior High kids for several years. While Janie taught school, Gene worked in the auto industry, eventually starting his first business as a distributor of automotive products. Following that he began his remodeling business and purchased his first motel. That same year their first son, Aaron, was born. It was during this time that Gene broke his back while skiing. While it was questionable whether he would walk again, prayers were answered and it was during this difficult time that his faith in God became very real to him.

In 1974, Gene and Janie sold businesses and home, making a radical move to Washington state. A hay ranch was purchased, work ethic was taxed to the max, challenges were myriad and constant. But more valuable life lessons were learned first hand. A daughter and subsequently twins were born and in 1978, to provide a more suitable place to raise their children, Gene and Janie joined other business and professional friends from their San Diego days to form a Christian Community in Twisp, WA where they taught their children the work ethic and the benefits of living a moral life following the teachings of Jesus and where they live to this day. Gene became active in the community working in the public school system, attending Bible studies and participating in the start-up of Community Covenant Church.

The 1980’s and 90’s found Gene owning a construction company and overseeing the management of his now two motel properties. He would see his four children graduate from college. They, with their mates and now grandchildren, are the joy of his life.

Today finds Gene a leader in his church, a trustee giving oversight to the church’s low income rental properties, Board member/officer on several civic and county associations, secretary for the local food bank Aid and Assistance Board. Of most fulfillment to him is counseling young men to walk in the ethical and productive ways that were taught him.

While having long given support to several world missionary endeavors including those of his church, Gene is now actively involved with the ministry of an orphanage/mission in Baja California. He has very much enjoyed his friendship with Jim Haverlock and the sharing of helping the disadvantaged and the less fortunate in our world. It is his dream to leave the world a better place than he found it. Janie, his wife of 42 years, as well as his four children share in this endeavor.

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