Gene Baity was born November 20, 1929, to Clarence and Mildred Baity in Salem Township, Missouri. He departed this life June 20, 2024 at the age of 94 years in Mesa, Arizona.

Gene's family moved around Missouri, eventually settling in Chickasha, Oklahoma in the 1940's.  In his teens he worked at the local airport and earned his Private Pilot's license at the age of 17, which began his lifelong love of flying and all things aviation. In August of 1950, Gene enlisted in the United States Navy where he worked as an Electronics Technician. On February 21, 1952, Gene and Betty Jo Vandament were married in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Soon after, they moved to Keyport, Washington, where Gene worked as a torpedo technician in his new assignment with the Navy. In October of 1953, Gene had honorably fulfilled his duties and upon discharge the two settled in Chickasha, Oklahoma. Soon after, they returned to Washington where Gene began his long career as a Mechanical Engineer in the aerospace and medical industries. They spent the next 45 years in Bellevue, Washington, raising their three children.

Gene is survived by his children LaMont Baity and wife Bobbie of Buffalo, Texas; LenRae Baity and husband Andrew Clifford of Mesa, Arizona and Dwight Baity and wife Susan of Seattle, Washington; four grandchildren, Jessi Baity, Christina Baity, Rebecca Baity and Robert Baity; and his sister, Mary Lou Preston. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 70 years, Betty "Jo".