Gene English

Gene Allen English went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 14th, 2024, at the age of 79. A "Spook Baby," he was born October 31st, 1944, in Kilgore, Texas. Gene was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was preceded in death by his father James Allen "Pete," his mother Addie Jean, his brothers Tommy and Robert English, and his brothers-in-law Eugene Symank and Kenneth Watson.

Gene is survived by his wife of 57 years and 6 months, Elizabeth English; daughter, Dana Curr and husband Robert of Leander, TX; son, Richard Allen English and wife Cindy of Forney, TX; and brother, Richard Wayne English and wife Norma of Hot Springs, AR.

Grandchildren, Chelsee Wernecke and husband Christopher of Kyle, TX, Spencer English of Middletown, Ashley Curr of Leander, TX, and Regan English of Forney, TX.

Great-grandchildren, Arya and Abigail Wernecke of Kyle, TX.

Brothers-and sisters-in-law, Bennie Symank and wife Joan, Milton Symank and wife Anna, Eugene's wife Judy Symank, Vera Watson, Nadine Franks and husband J.D.

Nieces and nephews, Jimmy Don English, Melisa Martin, Kelley Landrey, David Symank, Michael Symank, and Renee Ferguson and their families.

A true nomad, Gene lived in many cities and towns all over Texas. Over the course of his long life, he lived, worked, and loved in places such as Longview, Odessa, Mesquite, and Alba. Initially baptized within the Fundamental Baptist Church in 1956, Gene later converted to the Lutheran faith and was confirmed at Bethel Lutheran in 1993. He graduated from Permian High School in Odessa after staying with "Mom" and "Pop" Minshew for his senior year. He loved baseball and racing cars with his buddies.

Following his honorable discharge from the United States Air Force, Gene worked in a number of professions. From trekking across the country in his big rig to instructing the next generation of truckers, and from small business ownership to a natural disaster insurance adjustor, Gene's many skills matched his desire to experience adventure with those he loved.

Apart from spending time with his family, Gene's greatest joys in life included fishing, gardening, and re-watching classic Westerns and music competitions. He had a notorious sweet tooth, enjoying treats like Hostess cupcakes, banana and fudge popsicles, Frosted Flakes, and his favorites candies: Tootsie Pops, Hot Tamales, soft peppermints, and "Milk Duds." Gene's love of all things sweet, however, did not take away from his love of the main savory course of bacon, fried chicken, and a good steak, almost always prepared by his first love, Liz.

Gene brought smiles and laughter to every room he entered - and his own contagious laugh was heard all over the country and is something that will never be forgotten. From his silly jokes and even sillier dance moves to his endearing "concentration" while he used his cane to reach his dialysis machine, Gene always had his family in fits of giggles - and this was true up until the very end.

Without question, Gene provided everyone he met in life with smiles and laughter. Gene exuded a warmth that will undoubtedly continue to fuel our happy memories of him, sustaining us until we one day meet again.