The memorial service for Gene Saunders took place this afternoon at the Sun Microsystems office in Dallas.

There were about 40 people there; several of us spoke at length, and others added their perspectives. There were photographs of Gene at all ages, Powerpoint Keynote and iPhoto slide shows, and even one of the conference calls that Gene always hated. (Just kidding, George: your talk went really well.) The setting was a conference room, decorated with many items of Gene memorabilia: T-shirts, hats, license plates, Spam(!), beer, audio CDs, political fridge magnets, and more. (Photos tomorrow.) There were stories, revelations, memories, jokes, surprises, tears, and many laughs.
Thank you to all of you who made this possible — Paula, George, Roger, Jill, and Sandra — and to everyone who attended and contributed their memories of Gene. I think he would have approved, although I suspect that some of the photos would have struck him as opportunities for Photoshopping…