Eugene (Gene) Smith Gragg, II (they/them), born on April 6, 1991, was found to have departed this earth on November 25, 2025, in the scenic Rainbow Canyon region of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Gene shone brightly and touched hundreds of lives. People always wanted to be around them, and wherever they went they made fast friends. Gene helped people feel brave, because Gene lived their life authentically and unapologetically.

Gene was known for their meticulousness, reliability, and punctuality, but also for their boisterousness and eye-catching style. They would carefully plan a party down to its last decoration, then fill it to bursting with joy, hyping everybody up. Gene’s laugh was as legendary as their dance moves. They illuminated every space they blessed.

Gene’s memory lives on in their mother, Arabella Rose Wade, and their siblings Christina, Sherri, Sean, Iylene, and Justine Thibeaux, their nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, and many cousins, who loved Gene deeply.

Gene also lives on in their loving community of chosen family and friends: Danielle Beecham-Coelho, Terri Burns, Kaitlyn Carter, Nia Charrington, Chris Ferrer, Nari Gathers, Emmi Grooney, Andreina Kniss, Mel Lawrence, Tanea Lunsford, Meghan McCarty, Marshanette Nunes, Mopewa Ogundipe, Naiady Porta, Gigi Sanchez, Leonna Spilman, Margarita Velasquez, Samia Zuber and so many others. Gene collected aunties, too, and was adored by Elena & Kia Darling-Hammond, Jen Gripman, and Lesly Simmons.

Gene never wasted a moment of their life. They went after their goals with the focus of an Olympian. Though their time with us was short, they showed us how to make the most of the time we have.

This fundraiser will bring Gene home from Nevada to California, provide a funeral, and allow for burial in their family plot.

Gene will be laid to rest at the Cypress Lawn Memorial Park in Colma, CA. Duggan’s Funeral Services in San Francisco will provide the home going ceremony.

Thank you for helping us send Gene home with love and care.