Gene (Samuel Eugene) Ocker passed away peacefully in his home on August 17, 2025 at the age of 91
Gene was born on March 12, 1934 in Moulton, Iowa to George and Mildred (Jordan) Ocker. He was united in marriage to Della Mae Brumbaugh on March 28, 1954 in a little farmhouse in Lockman, Iowa. She was the greatest love of his life and preceded him in death on January 4, 2018 after 63 years of marriage. Together, they made their home in Prairie City where they raised their four children, Bud Ocker, Roxi Sneller, Rani Dentler, and Geo Johnston. Gene was a long-time, self-employed roofer who would always point out the houses he had roofed and when he roofed them.
He was an avid guitar player. Gene bought his first guitar at the age of 14 from a Sears and Roebuck catalogue. He purchased his pride and joy, “Rosie”, a 1960 D28 Martin guitar, in 1969 and continued to play her through his final days. Gene formed the band, Gene Ocker and the Plainsman, in the early 1970’s. They played many music festivals in Iowa, Missouri, and Arkansas throughout several decades, most notably the Country and Old Time Music Festival in Drakesville, Iowa and later, Bloomfield, Iowa. Gene was always up for telling stories of his childhood, friends, and neighbors. His storytelling is unmatched and will be forever missed. He enjoyed golf cart rides around the Albia countryside, where he would point out where old neighbors lived, barns that are no longer there, and farms where he did odd jobs as a boy. Even at 91, Gene was very active. He mowed “the Timber”, his property in Albia, on an old Snapper lawn mower. He was always in trouble with his kids and grandkids because he would sneak off with a chainsaw to cut up a fallen tree. Gene loved his tomato garden and was always willing to share the fruits of his labor.
Gene is survived by his 4 children, 7 grandchildren, Jamie (Luke) Haughenbury, Jennie Ulery, Ben (Kate) Ulery, Hollie (Mike) Ralston, Jordan Dentler, Amie Baker, and Stacie Johnston, 20 great grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren, his sister, Rosalie (David) Turner, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, his parents, siblings Edward, Mary, Bill, Claude, Wayne, John, and Lee, and a great-grandson.
Gene was cremated under the direction of Sinnott Funeral Home in Albia, Iowa.
There will be a celebration of life at the Prairie City Community Building on September 6, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
