THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 17, 1996 TAG: 9607160119
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
LENGTH: 68 lines
In the 16 1/2 years Gene LeJeune has been the city's payroll administrator, he's earned a reputation for getting the right checks in the right amount to the right people at the right time.
In the 15 years he's owned and flown his own plane, he's earned a reputation for having interesting experiences - some of which he'll talk about, some of which he prefers to forget.
One thing he's always willing to talk about, however, is his ancestry. ``I'm 100 percent Cajun and proud of it; we're the true aristocracy of the South,'' he says with a big grin.
Another is his favorite toy, the 1951 Piper Pacer he flies frequently, works on even more frequently and for which he has unlimited spare parts.
``I have two more like it - all in pieces,'' he explains.
Full name: O. Eugene LeJeune.
Hometown: Iowa, La.
What brought you to the Beach? Nine-month project with an oil company in Norfolk.
Birthdate: March 22, 1942.
Occupation: Payroll/pension administrator.
Nickname: Depends on which environment I happen to be in at the time. To my family, it's Bo. To my friends, it's Gene. In aviation, it's Leroy.
Marital status: Happily married to Penny.
Children: Six. All grown, all doing what they want to do at this time in life.
What is your idea of a perfect day off? Being 3,000 feet above the Beach on a clear crisp day heading in any direction other than out to sea.
Last smart thing you did: Decided to quit going to stress therapy and learned to fly instead.
Last dumb thing you did: Thought I knew how to fly because I had a license (1,100 plus hours and still learning).
Favorite meal: Fresh grilled tuna and a crisp green salad.
Favorite movies: ``Somewhere Over China'' and ``Always.''
Favorite song: Anything by Jimmy Buffett or Willie Nelson.
Last book read: ``The Complete Taildragger Pilot'' by Plourde.
Hobbies: Restoring and flying classic single-engine Piper airplanes.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I would learn to play sooner.
If you could change one thing about your spouse, what would it be? Cannot presume to improve on God's work.
Secret vice: If it were printed, how secret would it then be?
Favorite restaurant: Surf Rider North at Cypress Point.
Your favorite night on the town: Dinner and listening to a quiet musical group.
Favorite TV shows: No favorites. To quote a good friend, ``TV is bubble gum for the eyes.''
Favorite sport: Watching baseball in the stands.
Last vacation: Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in at Oshkosh, Wis., August 1995 (yearly pilgrimage).
Pets: Two schnauzers - Boots and Mitzi. One Siamese - Ming.
Worst job: None. Every job I ever had prepared me for my current one (the best I will ever have).
Of what achievements are you most proud? Having a part in the development of six of the best people on this planet (our children), growing the City of Virginia Beach Deferred Compensation Plan for employees and learning to fly.
What would you like as your epitaph? ``Son, Husband, Father, Friend and Brother who carried out his duties and had fun doing so.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MORT FRYMAN by CNB