Eugene "Gene" Didden's Obituary
Eugene Gene Didden, 83, native of Tampa, FL, passed away on November 20, 2022. He graduated from Hillsborough High School in 1957. After serving in the US Army, he worked for 55 years at Tampa Armature Works in the Custom Equipment division at the River plant, where his crew was known as the “River Rats”. He was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church where he served as an usher for over 50 years. He was also a member of the Northwest Tampa Optimist club for several decades, as well as a fundraiser volunteer for many years at Zoo Tampa (formerly Lowry Park Zoo). Gene was a loyal Bucs fan, through good times and bad, who loved tailgating as much as he loved going to games. His favorite pastimes were watching sunsets and thunderstorms over the Gulf, boating, fishing, listening to the sounds of the beach, cooking and eating Florida seafood (especially crabs). He was an incredible husband, girl dad and granddaddy. He was preceded in death by his father Carl Didden, mother Jessie Lee Didden, brother Carl Didden Jr, brother-in-law Marshall Dolphy, mother-in-law Mary Bailey and honorary brother/ best friend Lew Craven. He is survived by loving wife of 58 years Sharon Didden; daughters Tiffany Didden and Robin Didden; granddaughter Brittney Didden; brothers Fred Didden (Holly) and Dan (Monica) Didden; sister Carolyn Dolphy; sister-in-law Helen Michaelson; best friend Patsy Craven along with numerous loving nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at Boza & Roel Funeral Home, 4730 N. Armenia Ave, from 5-8pm on Wednesday, November 30. Funeral mass will be held at 10am, Thursday, December 1 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church.
Flowers can be sent to Boza & Roel Funeral Home or donations to Shriners Hospitals for Children can be made in Gene’s honor at www.lovetotherescue.org.
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