Lt. Colonel Eugene E. Wise, Jr.

Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Edward Wise, Jr., United States Air Force (Retired), was born August 12, 1932 and passed away peacefully at home on July 7, 2021. Eugene was born to the union of the late Eugene and Lena (James) Wise in Chattanooga, TN and was reared in Cincinnati, OH from the age of two. He confessed a hope in Christ at the age of 12 and became a member of The Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church where he served in his youth and later on the Board of Trustees. He also served as trustee at Shiloh Baptist Church and was the supervisor of its Credit Union. He has supported the ministries of First Church of God. Eugene graduated from Central State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and he attended Capitol University Law School. Eugene served as president of the Central State Alumni Association in the Columbus and Cincinnati chapters. He was initiated into his beloved Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, Kappa Chapter in December 1951 and he was a life member. Eugene entered the United States Air Force as an Aviation Cadet in 1954 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1955 with a Navigational rating of Navigator/Observer. He completed nuclear weapons school, became a Bombardier and flew B36 aircraft with the Strategic Air Command. When stationed in Newfoundland, he flew C-54 aircraft with the North East Air Command. He later flew KC135 aircraft on air to air refueling missions. Eugene completed four temporary tours of duty to Southeast Asia, flying 97 combat missions. During his Air Force career, Eugene functioned as Executive Wing Officer with designations of Primary, Senior, Instructor and Master Navigator. In 1971 as Major Wise, he testified before the Congress of the United States, House of Representatives’ Congressional Black Caucus on ‘race relations’ in the and received a letter of commendation from Representative Ronald Dellums, Member of Congress. Eugene retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1974. After his military career, Eugene worked for the Ohio Bureau of Employment service as an Equal Employment Officer. He served on the Board of Directors at the former Isabelle Ridgeway Nursing Home before becoming the Nursing Home Administrator. He was also the Administrator at Lincoln Crawford Nursing Home in Cincinnati and rescued it from closure. Eugene was gregarious, energetic, fun loving and a ‘bridge over troubled waters’ for family, friends and community. Cooking was his passion. He loved to cook elaborate meals and entertain family and friends. He cooked and served meals for Friends of The Homeless Shelter. He catered celebrity events for entertainers and in venues like the State House. Eugene was selected F.A.C.E. Celebrity Chef in 1996 and 1998. He was a part owner of the Rib Cage. Eugene enjoyed traveling and slept overnight in all of the states, except Vermont. He and his wife traveled by all modes of transportation to numerous countries and experienced many cultures and cuisines on all continents except Australia and Antarctica. A great granddaughter, Jayda Ricks, preceded Eugene in death. He leaves to cherish his memory a loving and dedicated wife Veeda; children Eugene Wise, III of Columbus, OH Lauren Wise Muhammad (Aquil) and Roland Wise of Cincinnati, OH; bonus children Bryan (Toya, M.D.) of Honolulu, HI and Crystal Kelley of Los Angeles, CA; a combination of five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren and brothers John Sr. (Hattie Marie) Wise of Tampa, FL and Maurice (Susan) Crutcher of La Vegas, NV and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.