Michigan Pumpkin Farm Legend "Gene The Pumpkin Man" Passes Away

Every Halloween season, it’s tradition for Michigan to go to their favorite pumpkin patch and pick that perfect pumpkin for Halloween, while also enjoying cider donuts, hay rides, and other fun.

Terrible news recently came out that shook West Michigan, as one of the most beloved owners of a pumpkin patch that’s very well known here in the Kalamazoo area has passed away.

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Gene “The Pumpkin Man” Rhodes passed away according to a post that came from the Rhodes family on Gene’s Facebook page:

Gene Rhodes, known by many as Gene the Pumpkin Man, passed away peacefully on Tuesday evening, December 17, 2024, at the family farm. For 68 years Gene opened the farmyard to families looking for the perfect pumpkin. His infectious laugh and big personality brightened every visit.

As they reflected, Gene was certainly a memorable character:

His orange cowboy hat and Cadillac were easily recognized around town. We thank you for sharing Gene with us and giving him many fond memories in return. Arrangements will be announced in the coming days.

The impact that Gene the Pumpkin Man had on the community was so vast, not only two people who would go there for fall fun with their family, but even local farmers, like Ben Martin, who shared his feelings and how Gene helped him with his farm at Soil Friends:

He taught me how to grow pumpkins and gave me salad and sound advice. I knew I had Gene the Pumpkin Man on my side, and not to worry about what my corn farmer Friends had to say, I was growing fruit pumpkins, and each year after jeans advice I had pumpkins, more than I could sell.

There are 1000s in the Kalamazoo area who will miss seeing him in the fall, and I’m sure the farm will remain open and in the family