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Eugene E. (Gene) Klecan, 87, died peacefully on Ash Wednesday, February 21, 2007, after a brief illness. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Jane; eight children, Dr. Eugene Klecan and wife, Darlene of Las Oswego, OR, George Klecan of Ft. Worth, TX, Mary Klecan of Ft. Collins, CO, Jack Klecan and wife, Kathy of Phoenix, AZ, Mark Klecan and wife, Patte of Albuquerque, Janet Santillanes and husband, Abraham of Albuquerque, Dan Klecan and wife, Debbie of Edgewood, and Dr. Richard Klecan and wife, Sharon of Tucson, AZ; 13 grandchildren, Greg Klecan, Nell Fahey, Dr. Genevieve Santillanes, Matthew Klecan, Laura Klecan, Olivia Santillanes-Neidhardt, David Klecan, Amanda Klecan, Tammy Greasby, Alexander Santillanes, Casey Klecan, Hannah Klecan, and Molly Klecan; four great-grandchildren, James, Monica, and John Klecan, and Isabella Fahey. Gene was preceded in death by his daughter, JoAnne, who died 25 years to the month before her father. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Agnes Klecan; and sisters, Margaret and Mary Teresa, all of Kansas City, MO. Gene was born on December 11, 1919 in Kansas City, MO, attended Rockhurst High School and College where he excelled academically and in football, lettering all 4 years in college. Gene attended law school initially at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., interrupted his law school education to join the Navy, and served as Captain of P.T. 29 in the South Pacific during World War II. He married Jane Ferguson on October 31, 1942 in Arlington, VA. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Gene completed his law school education at De Paul University in Chicago, IL in 1947. After teaching at Rockhurst College and working in a family business in Kansas City, Gene moved with his wife and first seven children to Albuquerque in 1953, where he engaged in a distinguished legal career for 35 years. He served as President of the Albuquerque Bar Association in 1963 and was a renowned trial lawyer who successfully handled many significant cases. Gene was a devout Catholic and his family was named Catholic family of the year in 1960 for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. He and Jane established the Christian Family Movement in New Mexico in the 1950s, and were members of the Third Order of St. Francis for over 60 years. Visitation will be held at French Mortuary, Wyoming Blvd. Chapel on Sunday, February 25, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. followed by the recitation of the Rosary at 6:00 p.m. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 2621 Vermont NE, at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, February 26, 2007. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. A reception will be held at Magdalene Hall at Our Lady of the Annunciation Parish, 2611 Utah St. NE, following the interment. French Mortuary, Inc. 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400
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