Gene David Platt, age 66, of Roeland Park, Kansas, died on Tuesday, January 8, 2008, at the family farm in Richmond, Kansas. Gene was born on May 12, 1941, in Richmond, Kansas, the son of Lonnie Joseph and Mary Ann (Setter) Platt. He attended Prairie View and Tapley Grade School, and graduated from Richmond High School in 1959. He married JoAnne Katzer on September 3, 1962, at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Garnett, Kansas. Gene enlisted in the Kansas Army National Guard in 1964. In 1968 he was levied for a tour in Viet Nam. His family accompanied him to Colorado Springs, Colorado while he was stationed at Fort Carson. Gene served in Viet Nam from February to August of 1969. Following his return from Viet Nam he returned to the Kansas City area. He worked in the mail and baggage department for Kansas City Terminal Railway for 12 years, before working as a conductor for Union Pacific Railroad. He retired on May 31, 2003 following over 30 years of service. He was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, and the V.F.W. He enjoyed traveling, collecting Indian artifacts, hunting, cooking, snow skiing, tent camping, genealogy, and spending time on his farm with his black Angus cattle, watching Notre Dame football and KU basketball; but his greatest passion was his family and grandchildren. Gene was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant daughter, Bridget Elizabeth Platt in 1965. He is survived by his wife, JoAnne Platt, of the home; four sons, David Platt of Lawrence, Kansas; Sean Platt and his wife Suzanne of Overland Park, Kansas; Ryan Platt and his wife Amy of San Antonio, Texas; Tim Platt and his wife Mari of Kansas City, Missouri; two brothers, Edward Joseph Platt of Ottawa, Kansas and Emery Lawrence Platt of Garnett, Kansas; a sister, Mary Ann Hermann and her husband Albert of Garnett, Kansas; ten grandchildren, Grace, Charlie, Will, Caroline, Jake, Elizabeth, Luke, Ellie, Sam and Olivia; he also leaves behind many friends and relatives including church friends and the friends of his children.