Elvis Gene Lichti

Elvis Gene Lichti of Berryville was born January 24, 1937, in Denver, Colorado to Elvis and Ethel (Weaver) Lichti. Gene passed away September 8, 2026, in Fort Smith at the age of 89.

The majority of Gene's childhood was spent in the Kingston and Dry Fork areas surrounded by a large extended family. Aunts, uncles, and cousins were a part of daily life with school, church, family get togethers, and community events. Cousins were life-long best friends. Gene met his future bride, Anne, when he was 6 and she was 5 and their families were close friends. He and his brothers and sisters planted and harvested vegetables as well as worked in the fields to make extra money. In his teenage years, Gene traveled and worked with his father Elvis who was an explosives expert. They worked in mines, building tunnels, and roads across the country. Later as an adult, he took great pride in his work as owner and operator of Gene's Market and Deli in South Lake Tahoe, California.

Gene served his country with deep commitment across multiple branches of the U.S. military. He began his military career in the Oregon National Guard while still in high school, then the United States Air Force, later continuing his service in the Army and with the Berryville, Arkansas National Guard. During the First Gulf War, he rose to the rank of Sergeant First Class, a testament to his leadership, discipline, and unwavering dedication. His years in uniform reflected a life shaped by courage, responsibility, and a steadfast devotion to protecting others.

Above all, Gene cherished deep family connections and faith in God. Even as his brothers and sisters spread across the country, reunions were attended faithfully as a vacation from work. He took joy in playing games and visiting with his loved ones. He was a life-long fisherman and hunter and used those times to develop connections with friends and family. Gene will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, hard work, and especially for his devotion to family and his country.

Gene is preceded in death by his parents Elvis and Ethel Lichti; wife Anne Louise Lichti; brother-in-law Ray Caldwell.