Douglas Killinger

Douglas Eugene “Gene” Killinger,86, a native of Pensacola and long-term resident of Gulf Breeze, passed away peacefully at his home on May 31, 2023 surrounded by his family.

Gene was born October 24, 1936, in Perry, Fla., to the late Clarence Eugene Killinger and Mildred Kelly Killinger.

The Killinger family moved to Pensacola in 1945 after the war, where Gene’s father owned a marine engine and supply business, the D.M. Witherill Company. Gene attended Pensacola High School (class of 1954) and went on to earn a mechanical engineering degree in 1958 from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. After graduation, he began work at Shell Pipeline in Texas but returned home in the same year upon the sudden passing of his father. He remained in Pensacola, taking over the family business, which later became known as Killinger Marine.

Gene loved boating and sharing his extensive knowledge of it with others.  He was an avid waterfowl hunter, a longtime member of the Pensacola (downtown) Rotary Club, and a lifetime member of the Pensacola Yacht Club. While growing up, he attended First United Methodist Church in Pensacola and later supported Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church and Coastline Calvary Chapel in Gulf Breeze.

More than anything, Gene loved his family. He was preceded in death by his wife Sue Arden Killinger and his sister June Killinger Ramsey. He is survived by his daughter Lisa Killinger Farmer (Ron) of Atlanta, GA, son Clarence Killinger of Pensacola and daughter Lori Killinger Globetti (Greg) of Fairhope, AL., as well as Sue’s children Diane Rosasco Akers, Priscilla Rosasco Joffrion (Rick), Cynthia Rosasco Latimer (Allen), Christine Rosasco Neu (Bruce), Will Rosasco, and John Rosasco. He is also survived by his nephew Will Ramsey and his niece Kelly Ramsey MacLeod, numerous grandchildren and a great grandchild.

A memorial service to honor his life will be held at First United Methodist Church in downtown Pensacola on Saturday, June 24 at 4 p.m. A reception will be held nearby following the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Gene’s memory to one of the following organizations: First United Methodist Church, 6 East Wright Street, Pensacola, FL 32501; Coastline Calvary Chapel, 1122 Oriole Beach Road, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563; and Escambia Search & Rescue, 9530 Nims Lane, Pensacola, FL 32534.