THOME LAID TO REST

Bakersfield Sound aficionado and gun rights supporter Gene Thome has been laid to rest in Arvin.

Hundreds of family and friends remembered the longtime owner of Bear Mountain Sports at his Bakersfield funeral on Friday and recalled his friendships with local legends Red Simpson and Merle Haggard. The logo of his business was printed inside the casket.

Thome passed away last week at age 54 after a short battle with kidney cancer.

Kelli Forsch