Kalamazoo Legend “Gene the Pumpkin Man” Passes Away

Fall has always been my favorite time of year. I love the cooling but still enjoyable temperatures, Halloween, and the changing of the leaves—all the reds, yellows, and oranges. Speaking of orange, for many in Kalamazoo, visiting the pumpkin patch of Mr. Gene Rhodes, better known as Gene the Pumpkin Man has been a staple of Fall.

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Sadly, after 68 years, this past fall was Gene's last as his family has announced this legend has passed away at the age of 88. 

"I sell pumpkins and give away memories"

Since Gene the Pumpkin Man took over his father's farm in 1957, the color orange has been as much a part of his identity as the pumpkins he grows. From his iconic orange Cadillac with the license plate of 'PUMMAN' to his pumpkin bed sheets and the orange attire he wore daily.

It's this simple man who loved to "sell pumpkins and give away memories" for the last 68 years that Kalamazoo is going to miss. In a post by the Rhodes family on Gene's Facebook page, they said Gene's

...infectious laugh and big personality brightened every visit...we thank you for sharing Gene with us and giving him many fond memories in return.

In an interview earlier this year with WZZM13, Gene said," I have no idea how long I'm gonna be around, but I'm gonna live until the Almighty says you need to inspect these perfect pumpkins." That time has come, but the impact he made will stay around for years to come.