Houlton, Maine - Gene Wellington Kilpatrick, 91, of Houlton, ME, died on May 18, 2026, after a short illness.

Born in Houlton to Lena (Shaw) and Vaughn Kilpatrick, Gene initially attended elementary school in Littleton. Not finding it to his liking, he moved in with his grandparents in Mars Hill and attended school there, also working for his father on the farm in Littleton. Gene played high school baseball and basketball and developed a lifelong love of sports. After graduation, he went on to a business degree at Ricker College and planned to become a farmer. Learning how large a loan was required to begin farming, he instead went to Columbia University in New York City and earned a masters and a doctorate in sociology.

Gene met Nancy Stump at a wedding in Ohio, where Nancy was attending Ohio Wesleyan. They married in Houlton in 1963, the same year Gene became a sociology professor at Ricker. Their son, Lee, joined the family just in time for a move to Illinois for Nancy's graduate education at the University of Urbana-Champlain. The family returned to Houlton in 1971, and welcomed their daughter, Erin. Gene resumed teaching at Ricker, while Nancy taught English at Ricker and local schools.

After Gene and Nancy parted ways, Lee and Erin split their time between Nancy's house on Military Street and Lena and Vaughn's farm in Littleton. Eventually, Gene met Jay (Jeanette) McCorison at Houlton Regional Hospital, where Jay was a radiology technician and Gene was an administrator. The two wed in 1981 at Lena and Vaughn's farm, with Jay's daughter Stephanie (DesRoberts) and Lee and Erin present.

Gene, Jay, and Stephanie made their home in Linneus. Gene worked for the Aroostook County Action Program and helped the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians with their reservation application. He also earned his doctorate and was a professor of sociology at the University of Maine, Presque Isle for more than two decades. Once the kids grew up, Gene and Jay took joy in adopting rescue dogs and giving them love and safety for the rest of their lives.

As Gene aged, he enjoyed hearing from former students about how his teachings had changed their lives. He talked often about how leaving Houlton for New York City opened his eyes to a world he wouldn't have known otherwise (even if he couldn't believe they didn't distinguish between potato varities there). In teaching, he wished to open students' minds to people and cultures unlike theirs, even if they stayed in Aroostook County. Gene was always grateful when students noted this, years later, in their letters and visits. Gene will be remembered as a thoughtful, justice-oriented person and a fierce champion of Houlton as "the best place in the world."

Gene is survived by his son, Lee (Alison Pereto, of Boston, MA); his stepdaughter, Stephanie (of Kennisaw, GA); his granddaughter, Justice (Kennisaw, GA); and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Erin; his wife, Jay; and their rescue dogs, Eliott, Junie, and Skybaldi.

A joint service for Gene and Jay, who passed in 2023, is scheduled for Friday, August 14, at Bowers Funeral Home, 10 Water St., Houlton. Calling hours are at noon and the service is at 1 p.m. The family would like to thank Kelly and Ron Brooker for helping Gene stay independent at home. To leave an online condolence, visit bowersfuneral.com.