Gene Sullivan

August 29, 1947 - June 30, 2025

Obituary

Gene P Sullivan was born in San Francisco, California in 1947. Gene's father Prescott Sullivan is the subject of THE ODD COUPLE movie, and a Sportswriter for the San Francisco Examiner.

His mother,  Pat Sullivan, an Aviation Hall of Fame WW2 WASP, was a COMMAND Pilot. She owned Mile High Aviation with Betty Clark, also an Inductee to the Aviation Hall of Fame as a Command Pilot Wasp.  Gene’s home was Airplane hanger on the Rifle Airport, which they ran.

Gene’s mom not only helped him pay attention to details and have keen judgement, she raised him to be hard working and always put the needs of others first. Pat also taught him to box.  He was a Navy heavyweight title winner. Also,a golden gloves title winner, and Rocky Marciano was ready to put Gene under contract and train him to fight in the ring with Ali, Foreman and Joe Frazier. That changed when Rocky died in a plane crash.

His Father Prescott introduced him to Evel Knievel, and he went on the road with him for a year and a half as Evel’s 1st body guard. He did Evel Knievel’s funeral and graveside burial. He has been in Newspapers, Documentaries, Magazines and TV Shows all over the world.

Growing up around fame, and having opportunities for fame, and seeing the dark side of fame, was very eye opening. Gene was even offered a contract of Evel’s to do jumps all over Asia.

In 1972 he was personally encountered by Jesus Christ at a small gathering of Spirit filled Christian people during a Breakfast Meeting. He left that breakfast forever changed. His life, from that morning on, was changed from "promoting himself" to "Promoting Jesus and His purposes" through his life.  He tore up a contract for 2 Million dollars that would have turned into much more and realized fame and fortune wasn’t the road he was called to go down.

He began bringing his experiences with Jesus and His reality in his life into everything he did. To everyone he met in the Marketplace’s he was sent, people were touched by a man who showed up in life to effect good.  He depended on The Holy Spirit to lead him in every thing he thought, said and did.

When he got a revelation to jump his motorcycle through a burning wall and share his story, he knew “the Voice” of the Holy Spirit was inspiring him to use the talent he had to tell his story.  He also knew he would be mocked, scorned and misunderstood.  He had a story to tell, and even if he could help a few, he didn’t care if he thought people believed he was only after the pride of life, he knew in his heart that is what he walked away from.  One jump, just had two kids on the street come initially, and if that jump was just for those 2 boys, Gene and the team were so privileged just to touch 2 lives. (More people showed up later). His heart for the lowly and down and out was always easy to see by those who knew him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ly0t3FYyKQ&list=PLAS_PQkRf8jDoPWa2gI2sDcYo7NSHZihH&index=6  Videos of Jumps

From May 20th, 1972 until the day he took his last jump, his last leap of faith, his motivation was to present the reality of Jesus Christ in his life and do good in the lives of others wherever he went, whoever he was with.

"JUMP FOR JESUS" (a ramp to ramp motorcycle jump into a wall of Fire, representing the Gates of Hell, which Jesus broke through on our behalf), has been and was the platform which had been given to bring Jesus into the Marketplaces of this world, for the last 53 years.

If you met him, he was constantly looking to see if there was one good thing he could impart to others, up to the very last of his days. He lived to comfort, care and be a helper of people’s joy, comforting those caring for him even while he was failing.

In 2020 he found out his biological father was Ernie Nevers, one of the most famous sports figures of the 1900’s. He had fame in 3 Professional Sports and invented the hook shot. He Pitched to Babe Ruth; and saved the NFL & has the oldest 4 NFL records. Ernie was a first inductee to the NFL Hall of Fame. George Clooney made a movie; “Leatherheads” about him. Gene then understood the mystery of his athletic ability, it all came together, when he found out about his real father, Ernie.

Playlist about Gene's famous Fathers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbhvRZAjfJg&list=PLAS_PQkRf8jCGnf5Ho9qwa5nrpxQrIC3x&index=22

Gene Invented the very 1st Skidoo, and was constantly reinventing everything right up to the last of his days too!

He did ministry for a King, and affected the lives of several in the Royal family of Tonga.

The stories of people’s lives he touched are numerous and miraculous. He has been a father to many fatherless people. He has helped many rise above offenses, grudges, bitterness, etc. and to understand their own internal war. We have heard the past 3 weeks from so many people’s lives he affected in his travels. God used him to heal, deliver and turn peoples hearts back to God the Father. It made his life worth living. He has been a good Shepherd that fed those who heard him with understanding, so ALL THINGS in their life worked for good. He’s been thankful for everyone Jesus sent into his life and all those who impacted him with their love and care, and that he had the privilege to serve.

His 1st prayer was, “Lord show me why people do what they do so I can be part of people’s solution instead of their problem”.

There is a movie script written about his life, an audio script, and audio book and actual book being written to be done in the near future.

His impact in people’s lives will live on for years to come through those who he loved and who loved him. Many are so thankful for the heavy weight boxer, the pilot, who came into their life to help them fight the good fight of faith and take hold of eternal life. The pilot that taught them how to read the compass in their own soul, to take them into their destiny.

Jesus said, “signs, wonders and miracles will follow those who believe”. That was how Gene’s life unfolded all the way to the end of his days. For everyone who knew him and had faithful relationships with him, EVERY DAY was a new adventure. Every day was a “surprise” of how the Lord could show up, one day after the next and make everything turn for good.

Life was NEVER boring. Knowing Gene WAS LIFE-CHANGING for everyone who loved him. “How lovely are the feet of them who bring good news” Isaiah 52: 7  He LIVED what he taught, he was a man of God who dispensed God’s light, who gave faith that Jesus would help anyone WHO WANTS TO OVER-COME.

He had a knock out punch in the ring, and the word anointing God gave him was a knock out punch to the kingdom of darkness.

He helped people understand they don’t  have to be overcome by the pitfalls of life and the darkness of this world.  Knowing him was LIFE CHANGING to anyone who submitted to his coaching. People will be thankful to God through out eternity for the “help from God’s sanctuary, and a man sent for their life”.

Even to those who received Words from Jesus from him for just for moments in time, were changed by meeting him. He lived to expose God’s Kingdom, His Power and His Glory on the earth, and to that end his life was a success. He was a dispenser of God’s hope to the lives he touched.  His ability to discern the spirit of words was a precious gift to those who knew him.

He had the “spirit of adoption” and adopted spiritually too many people to mention here. He was exactly what the book of Job described in chapter 29. “He was eyes to the blind, feet to the lame, the cause he knew not, he searched out”. He protected the weak, was a friend to those with no friends, he cared for the poor and needy. He lives on in the hearts of all those lives he touched.

He has shed tears many times for his grateful thankfulness for everyone who ever helped him and gave in the smallest of ways, to help him fulfill his calling in Jesus Christ.

2Tim 4:7
His life was poured out like a drink offering, and his departure has come. He fought the good fight, He finished his race, he  kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for him the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award on that day—and not only to him, but also to all who have longed for his appearing, Jesus. He made one thing very clear, those who abide in love abide in God, and every but love dies.  Only love is Eternal.  He gave everyone who loved him the answer for running their race, and gaining their crown, by fulfilling the Royal Law, “you should love your neighbor as yourself”.

He is preceded in death by his Father Prescott Sullivan, his mother Pat Sullivan and his biological father Ernie Nevers.

He leaves behind his soul mate that became one with him with a love that will never be quenched, Ceci Sullivan.

His most loved brother, Mark Sullivan and his wife Meacha Sullivan

His very loved sister he only got to know a few short years, and fell deeply in love with, Tina Nevers.

His Six children who he loved with all his heart. Brandon and his wife Sami Sullivan, Wade and his wife Paloma Sullivan, Nicole Sullivan, Daniel and his wife Jade Sullivan, Rebekah  and her husband Jeremy Van Wagoner, and Rachel Petty.

His 20 Grandchildren. Maryn Sullivan, Liam Sullivan, Abi Sullivan, Noah Sullivan, Luke Sullivan, Kylie Petty, Jake Van Wagoner, Gabe Sullivan, Levi Petty, Sydney Van Wagoner, Zack Sullivan, Justice Sullivan, Wyatt Van Wagoner, Prescott Sullivan, Micha Sullivan, Mack Sullivan, Noah Nevers Sullivan and Beau Sullivan; Along with 3 Great Grandchildren, Claire, Amaia, and Leo Sullivan. With 2 more grand children right around the corner, yet to be born, soon to be named.

He leaves behind also the souls Jesus gave him to watch over, persuaded that He who began a good work in them will perform it until the day of his appearing. And the Voice of the Lord they heard from the beginning, will talk to them the rest of their life.  If one day with the Lord is 1000 years with men, then we who love him say, “see you tomorrow our beloved husband, father and friend".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtB6RZtbD54&list=PLAS_PQkRf8jDQrez1KE2viHJhHfkwoGbe&index=13

This Documentary has has about 1.5 Million views and won 12 Film Festival Awards and has a lot of Gene's personal history in it.

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