Elmer Eugene “Gene” Brantley, 81 years old, of Harrison, Arkansas, died on July 27, 2026.

Gene was born in Harrison, Arkansas, on June 26, 1945 to Irven G Brantley and Abbie May Brantley, the youngest of three children. While still a teenager, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served for 3 ½ years with duty locations in Guam and Long Beach, California. After being discharged from the Navy at the end of his enlistment, Gene remained in Long Beach, California for a time, where he pursued his interest in art and became an accomplished painter. He returned to Harrison in the early 1970s and opened The Gallery of The Ozarks with his partner Richard Swearingen. The Gallery offered original art by numerous artists, prints, custom picture framing, and art lessons for the Harrison community for more than 50 years. As an artist, Gene garnered much recognition for his paintings. As an art teacher, he mentored countless aspiring artists, and his knowledge of art and love of teaching was inspirational to his many students. Gene worked continually over the years to promote the value and enrichment provided by the arts in Harrison and the surrounding area. In addition to his artistic endeavors, Gene worked at the hospital in Harrison for many years, where he drove an ambulance and assisted with the care of patients in many different departments of the hospital. He strove to be a friendly face and encouraging spirit to those in need. Gene will be remembered with much fondness by the many lives he touched.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Irven and Abbie Brantley. He is survived by his sister, Velta Zoeller, of Oklahoma City, and his brother, James Brantley, of Harrison. He is also survived by nieces Darlene Lundeen, of Oklahoma City, Teresa Phillips, of Piedmont, Oklahoma, and Lesley Crase, of Oklahoma City. He is survived by nephews Jay Brantley, of Harrison, and Scott Brantley, of Harrison.

Gene was a devoted member of St John’s Episcopal Church in Harrison, Arkansas, for more than 30 years. A service of remembrance for Gene will take place at St John’s Episcopal Church on Sunday, August 9th, at 1:00PM.