Gene Paul Cude, Jr., 45, passed away at his home on July 3, 2011. Born December 23, 1965, the son of the late Gene Paul Cude, Sr. and Barbara Jean Salley Cude, Paul graduated from Aiken High School in 1984 and attended the Citadel on an athletic training scholarship. He graduated from the Citadel in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Paul's gregarious personality and million dollar smile were key to a successful career in sales and marketing. Paul was a loving son, brother, and uncle, who adored his two nieces. A member of Cedar Creek Baptist Church, Paul had a deep and abiding spiritual faith. An outdoorsman, Paul enjoyed hunting and was an avid fisherman, who loved deep sea fishing. He loved animals, was proud of being a Citadel alum, and always supported the Citadel Bulldogs as well as the South Carolina Gamecocks. Paul is survived by his mother, Barbara Jean Cude; a brother, Clint Cude Julie; two nieces, Makenzie Cude and Ashley Cude; a grandmother, Willa Salley; and his beloved dog and constant companion, Bubba. A memorial service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, July 7, 2011 at GEORGE FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTER, 211 PArk Ave. SW Aiken. The family will receive visitors immediately following the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the Citadel Brigadier Foundation at 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC 29409 or the The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Attn: Director of Annual Giving, PO Box 016960 R48, Miami, FL 33101-9844.