Final Salute

Gene Leslie Countryman, 83, of Pensacola, FL, passed away Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at Clifford Chester Sims Nursing Home in Panama City, Florida. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle.
Gene was born in Middle Creek, PA on August 3, 1942. Upon graduation from Rockwood High School, he served his country by joining the United States Navy as a Seabee. Soon after enlisting, he married his high school sweetheart, Veronica Joan Bittner. During the next 24 years in the Navy, he and his wife had 3 daughters and a son. He had many deployments overseas and several duty stations within the United States, ending in Pensacola, FL. In 1983, he retired at the rank of Command Master Chief.
After retiring from the Navy, he began a 20-year career with the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. He took great pride in using his skills as a builder to create many beautiful displays in the museum. His grandchildren took joy in pointing out “Pap-Pap’s socks still hang in the Vietnam display” to anyone touring the museum with them. Over the years, he and his wife enjoyed many activities together like tennis, league bowling, fun trips, and family game nights. His children always mentioned how he was a devoted worker and demonstrated a strong work ethic. For the last 5 years, he was lovingly honored as a veteran and cared for at Clifford Chester Sims State Veterans Nursing Home in Panama City, FL. The family also appreciated the care given by Emerald Coast Hospice.
Gene was preceded in death by his father, Chester Countryman and his mother, Martha (Mognet) Countryman.
Gene is survived by his wife, Veronica Joan (Bittner) Countryman, sharing 64 years in marriage. He is also survived by his children, Kim Kolonia of Pace, Tina Linn of Pensacola, Lana Malaise of Pace, Steven Countryman of Pensacola. He was the treasured “Pap-Pap” to 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Gene is also survived by his brother, Jack Countryman (Beverly) of Pensacola, his niece, Pamela Dias (Luiz) of Pensacola; his nephews, Jack Countryman, Jr. of Biloxi, MS; Mark Countryman (Teresa) of Evans, GA; and Gary Countryman of Ann Arbor, MI. He is also survived by 4 sisters-in-law; Linda (Keith) Baily, Yvonne (Dennis) Rhoads, Janine (CJ) George, Wendy (Randy) Miles and many loving extended family members, including Marge Countryman, Rene Malaise, Mike Rayburn and Angela Henrichs.
Visitation services will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home, 100 Beverly Parkway, Pensacola, FL on Wednesday, September 10th from 11:30 to 12:30 pm. The funeral service will immediately follow, with graveside service at 2pm at Barrancas National Cemetery at Naval Air Station Pensacola. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.fcfhs.com. In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift may be made to the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, FL or the Alzheimer’s Association.

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