VAN BUREN COUNTY, MI — Driving on M-43 between Kalamazoo and Lake Michigan, it’s hard to miss the giant pumpkin sign ... known as “Gene the Pumpkin Man” — died Wednesday, Dec. 17 ...

There was something special about the seed. He called the strain Dill’s Atlantic Giant. That was the start of modern competitive pumpkin growing. After all, seeds are the heart of the pumpkin game.