Mr. Bert Eugene "Gene" Salter, age 82, of Thomaston, died, Saturday April 5, 2025, at his residence.

Mr. Salter was born on October 2, 1942, to the late Ulysses Bert Salter, and the late Mary Franklin Salter.  He served his country in the US Army during Vietnam, during this time he served as an Old Guard at Arlington National Cemetery, and took part in the burial of Bobby Kennedy, after which he received a special letter from Ethel Kennedy.  Mr. Gene also protected Washington D.C. during the Civil Rights Movement.  He was part owner along with his parents and brother of Salter's Sewing and TV Exchange which was started in 1950 and closed its doors in 2022.  He loved Riverbend catfish, and his special hugs from Kayla and Jonie.  Mr. Salter loved boating and fishing at West Point Lake and the family home on the St. John's River in Georgetown, Florida, as well as his farm and family and was able to spend his final days surrounded by both.  In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Larry (Nancy) Salter, and sister Anne (Glenn) Wilder.

Survivors include his daughters, Gina (Chip) Means of Thomaston, Rachel (Jamey) Ash of Thomaston, son, Grant Salter of Columbus, brother Jerry (Geraldine) Salter of Thomaston, mother of his children, Kathy Davis, grandchildren, Brittany (Greg) Robertson, Matthew Nichols, Brandon (Brooke) Wilder, Emily (Blake) Means, Conner Ash, great-grandchildren, Pasley Wilder,  Huntleigh Robertson, Blakeleigh Robertson, Jaxson Parrish, nieces and nephews, Tracey (Amanda) Wilder, Ashley Wilder, Tammy (Richard) Fleming, Dawn (Brandon) Pickens, Adam (Katie) Salter, special friends, Rita Smith, Dante Davison, and Lindsay Patrick; and our special friends from Thomaston Hospice, Enhabit Home Health, Amedisys, and Southern Grace Hospice.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 7, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Coggins Funeral Home.  Entombment to follow at the Upson Memorial Gardens Mausoleum with Military Honors. The family will receive friends on Monday April 7, 2025, from 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. at Coggins Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Nehemiah Ministries and Children's Church at Mt. View Baptist Church at 2569 Jeff Davis Rd. Thomaston, Georgia 30286.