Frank Eugene Archer, III (who only ever went by Gene), 74, of Memphis, TN, passed away on Friday, October 10, 2025, after a 2 year battle with gastric cancer. He passed away peacefully at home, with his wife and children near.

Gene was born on March 1, 1951, to Frank Eugene “Gene” Archer, Jr., and Margaret “Peggy” Cecilia Doran Archer in Memphis, TN. He graduated from Christian Brothers High School, where he honed his love for photography and served the yearbook’s staff photography and as the president of the school’s Photography Club. He went on to study at University of Memphis (then Memphis State) before beginning his career in restaurants, managing several Memphis staples like Magic Pan, Doebler’s Dock, Pancho’s, Wellington’s and Captain Bilbo’s. Spurred on by the desire to spend more time with his family, he transitioned from restaurants into food distribution sales, starting at Kraft Food Services, then serving as a Gaming Account Executive at SYSCO Food Services for many years before retiring. While he stopped working directly in restaurants, he never lost his love of food or expert skills for grilling and bartending. If he was cooking, you always knew you’d eat well.

Gene met his wife, Julia, in 1970 while the two were still in high school. They began dating in 1971, with Gene professing his love for her within weeks because he just knew. They later married on September 21, 1975. Their marriage was a prime example of unconditional love, celebrating 50 years of marriage less than a month before Gene’s passing. Gene and Julia went on to have three children: Kyle, Kristen and Lindsey. They were blessed with three grandchildren: Kyle’s sons Carson, Aaron and Maverick. From weekly dinners to watching football games, from family vacations to group wine tastings, spending time with his family was one of Gene’s favorite things to do. His love for his family was both fierce and unwavering, a love he generously extended to his dogs.

If you knew Gene, you knew of his wit and sarcasm. He was a quiet man, but when he spoke, his words were often laced with a humor that was both sharp and endearing. The lessons he imparted, from mastering the grill to upholding a strong work ethic, he passed directly on to his children (along with that wonderful dry sense of humor). Gene was a devoted husband and loving father and grandfather. His legacy will live on in his family – the people he loved passionately and who loved him back fiercely. If you were privileged to experience Gene’s love, count yourself a very lucky person.

Gene is survived by his wife, Julia Archer; his son, Kyle Archer; his two daughters, Kristen and Lindsey Archer; and his three grandchildren, Carson, Aaron and Maverick. He is also survived by his brother, William “Bill” (Marcia) Archer; his sister, Mary Rita “Beanie” (Albert) Lee; his nieces, nephews, many close friends; and his dog, Percy.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Gene’s care team for their dedicated support during the last two years of Gene’s cancer battle: Dr. Kurt Tauer and his team at West Cancer Center; and Dr. Paxton Dickson and his team at Methodist Medical Group – Surgical Oncology.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 2 p.m., at the chapel at Bartlett United Methodist Church, located at 5676 Stage Rd, Bartlett, TN 38134. A Celebration of Life will immediately follow, from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m., at the Archer family home, located at 3122 Mary Nancy Cove, Bartlett, TN 38134. Gene hated wearing stuffy ties, so they’re highly discouraged for both the service & celebration. Gene loved the Memphis Tigers and always dressed for comfort over style, so feel free to wearing your comfiest blue!

In lieu of flowers, Gene and his family ask that you please consider donations to Waves of Grace, a nonprofit organization that provides beach vacations for cancer patients and their families. They raise funds to send families – in the midst of battling cancer – to a restful and renewing week at the beach, giving them time to reconnect, recharge and return to the fight – renewed! The Archer family was so lucky to receive one such vacation from Waves of Grace and hope to pass that on and raise enough money to fund a trip for another family.

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