Preacher/Elder Dillard Eugene "Gene" Brewer

Notes:

Died:
Dillard Eugene Brewer died at the age of 87 in Manchester, Connecticut on July 13, 2014, but he lived his life as a man after God's own heart. Gene served earnestly as the minister of the Manchester Church of Christ from its founding in 1961 until his retirement in 2004. He was married 56 years to Barbara Christine Anthony Brewer, his partner in life, who was known by many as a long-time teacher at Bowers Elementary School. Together, Gene and Barbara raised five daughters and served as parent, friend, counselor, and inspiration to hundreds of people with whom they selflessly shared their love and lives. Gene was born on March 24, 1927, the fifth and youngest child of Lewis Dillard and Rose Etta McMinn Brewer, farmers in Chandler, Oklahoma. In 1944, Gene graduated from high school as the valedictorian of his class. Prior to graduating, Gene took over full-time preaching responsibility when the local preacher went to work in a factory at the onset of World War II. After high school, Gene attended the University of Oklahoma, where he obtained a bachelors degree in Business Administration in 1947. Despite completing a degree in business, Gene felt called to serve the Lord, so he set aside his business aspirations and took a full-time preaching position in Moore, Oklahoma. Desiring a more intimate understanding of the original languages of the scriptures, Gene pursued a degree in Bible at Abilene Christian College while preaching in Stamford, Texas, ultimately graduating with a Masters Degree in 1961. Gene's academic disposition and love of Biblical languages, hermeneutics, and real-world application for everyday people yielded a life of virtually indefinable value to those who knew him?including years of provocative, soul-piercing Bible study curricula; scores of life-changing books, articles, and sermons; countless hours of advice, counseling, and mentoring; and a heart for Jesus that revealed the love of God in every word expressed.
-- Holmes-Watkins Funeral Homes.

Gene Brewer was the founding, long-time preacher for the Church of Christ at Manchester, Connecticut. In his later years, he also served the congregation as an elder. Gene was in his 80s and had not been very well over the last few years. His wife, Barbara, died several years ago. Through them and others in central Connecticut, the Lord has built up a flagship congregation at Manchester. --Frank Bellizzi
findagrave

Dillard married Barbara Christine Anthony on 25 Jun 1948. Barbara (daughter of William Bruce Anthony, Jr. and Lillian Marie Click) was born on 19 Feb 1928 in Marlow, Stephens Co, Oklahoma; died on 31 May 2004 in Manchester, Hartford Co, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]