Gene Wyatt

Gene Wyatt, age 71, of Mills River, North Carolina, passed away on Friday, September 02, 2022.  He was born in Newton, Iowa to Gearold and Glema (Rempp) Wyatt.  After living in Florida for 18 years, Gene moved to Mills River, North Carolina to follow his dream.  He has a degree in culinary arts and has spent many years in the food service business including restaurant owner for the Iowa Inn in Perry, Iowa, Food and Beverage Manager for Carnival Cruise Lines and Purchasing Agent for The Biltmore Estate.  Gene loved to cook and especially bake.  For every event he attended you could be assured that he had whipped up something special.  His dream became a reality when he opened The Acorn Bed and Breakfast at Mills River, which he ran until he retired in 2019.

Gene served time in the United States Navy during the Vietnam era on the ship USS Paul.

Recently he was involved in many community activities including former President of the NC Bed and Breakfast Association, President of the Mills River Community Center, and President of the Mills River Lions Club.

He loved to travel to see family and friends, spend time at Disney World, decorated the house for every season but especially Christmas, and play with his many dogs over the years.

Gene is survived by his husband of almost 40 years, Bob Pompeo; daughter, JoAnna (Ethan) Huisman; and two beautiful and amazing granddaughters, Emma and Ellie Huisman, who he loved to the moon and back.  Also surviving are his siblings, Pat (Mark) Riemenschneider, Jayne (Jim) Caster, and Keith (Joyce) Wyatt.  Gene was very close to his cousins, nieces and nephews, and his many friends.

A celebration of Gene’s life will be held Saturday, September 17, 2022 from 2 – 4 PM at the Mills River Community Center, 120 School House Road, Mills River, North Carolina 28759.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to the Mills River Lions Club, 5136 Old Haywood Road, Mills River, North Carolina 28759.