Gene Raymond Hitchcock — a longtime pastor, chaplain and Baptist worker in the state — dies Feb. 9

Gene Raymond Hitchcock — a longtime pastor, chaplain and Baptist worker in the state — died Feb. 9. He was 88.

Hitchcock retired as a major with the U.S. Marine Corps after 22 years of service to go into the gospel ministry. He first served as pastor of two churches in California, then came to Alabama in 1978 and served as pastor of Wilkes Baptist Church, Midfield, and Macedonia Baptist Church, Maplesville. He also served as interim pastor of several churches in Chilton Baptist Association and as the association’s Sunday School director for several years. Sunday School was near and dear to his heart — he also did work in that area for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.

Over the years, Hitchcock took missions trips to Nigeria, Alaska and Wyoming. He was also a chaplain and worked many years with Alabama Citizens Action Program’s American Character Builders, speaking to students in schools about drugs, alcohol, bullying and other topics.

Hitchcock is survived by his wife of 69 years, Peggy, and son, Ray Jr.