Eugene Miranda, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, was born in Los Angeles on August 10, 1926, and died in Modesto, CA, on January 14, 2023 at age 96.

Gene grew up in Southern California, where he contracted polio before he turned ten years old. To strengthen his body after recovering from polio, Gene began lifting weights when his grandfather made him a barbell out of a broom handle and two coffee cans filled with cement. Gene became interested in gymnastics while in high school and continued in gymnastics for several years.

Gene joined the U.S. Merchant Marines at age 17 during WW II. After two years as a seaman in the Merchant Marines, Gene enlisted in the US Navy, serving as a Machinist’s Mate from 1945 to 1947. After WW II, Gene got married and had two children, Larry and Donna. Gene’s first wife died in 1978 and Gene married his wife Barbara in 1980. Gene and Barbara celebrated their 43 wedding anniversary on January 3, 2023.

Gene competed in his first powerlifting tournament (WABDL) at the age of 75. Gene continued competing up to the age of 92, winning his final tournament at Monterey in 2018. Gene competed in ten WABDL World Championships, claiming first place eight times. Twice Gene took second to his friend and competitor Charles Rice. Both Gene and Charles are in the WABDL Hall of Fame.

Gene is survived by his wife Barbara; brothers David Porter and Robert Miranda; son Larry; grandsons Forest and Eric; great-grandsons Landyn and Mason; and many other members of his extended family.