Retired US Air Force Master Sergeant Lindsay Eugene (Gene) Roof was a lover of golf, cold beer, Johnny Cash (played loud), and rare steaks. "Wipe its nose and bring it to the table," was heard by many an Outback Steakhouse server in his steak-eating prime. He was in his element standing around the grill with a koozie'd beer in hand, and you earned his instant respect if you knew how to properly hold a fork and slice a steak by "letting the knife do the work." Gene passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on May 18, 2021. He was 81 years old.

Gene was born on April 24, 1940, in Chester, SC, to Robert L. Roof and Ruth E. Varnadore Roof. He was a graduate of the Chester High School class of 1958, and enlisted in the US Air Force after graduation where he served for 23 years from 1958 to 1982. During his Air Force tenure, he earned a degree in Administration of Justice from Angeles City College, Philippines, and spent 17 years working in the Office of Special Investigations, "arresting bad guys," as he used to tell his sons.

His wide-ranging Air Force career took him from the icy tundra of New Hampshire to the steamy jungles of the Philippines to the honky-tonks of San Antonio, where he once saw Waylon Jennings play. Special Agent Roof finished out his many years of government service working for the Department of Defense Investigative Service (DIS) and the Defense Security Service (DSS), from January 1983 to October 2003.

In retirement, Gene was a member of the Air Force Association; the Air Force Sergeants Association; and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Special Agents Association, Suncoast Chapter.

Gene was twice a widower, first married to Carole Thomas Roof from 1962 to 1973, with whom he had his first son, Lindsay Eugene (Geno) Roof, Jr. (deceased; formerly of Richmond Hill, GA). He was then married to Brenda L. Goldberg from October 1974 to August 2006, with whom he had sons Bryan M. Roof (Boston, MA) and Jonathan D. Roof (Denver, CO). It is widely agreed upon that his sons all grew up to be handsome men. He taught his boys an appreciation for This Old House, Clint Eastwood movies, beer brand loyalty, and the solitude of standing next to a Weber Smokey Mountain as it slowly smoked a prime rib, which was a Christmas morning tradition. He leaves behind seven grandsons, one granddaughter, and one great granddaughter from his first two marriages.

He married his third wife, the loving Carol (Lynn) Spangler Roof, in December 2007. Together they explored the best of retirement living in The Villages of central Florida before eventually relocating to Jacksonville. They travelled together, hosted many a pool party, and shared a passion for doting on their grandchildren. In marrying Lynn, he expanded his family to include her loving daughter Janelle McCoy, son-in-law Richard McCoy, and grandchildren Will and Haley, all of whom cared dearly for him during his final 14 years.

We take great pleasure and pride in remembering Gene as a gifted storyteller, dedicated family man, caring father, and loving husband.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 24, 2021 at Richmond Hill Funeral Home with funeral services to follow at 10:30 a.m.

Burial with military honors will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, S.C.