February 5th, 1935 - August 12th, 2022

Gene was born on February 5, 1935 in Waco, Texas. His family moved to San Antonio in 1946 where he attended and graduated from Page Junior High School and Brackenridge High School. He took a job with Western Electric (the manufacturing and installation arm of AT&T) and traveled all over South Texas converting local telephone systems from operator assisted to the new dial-up technology. In 1955, Gene joined the U.S. Navy and was trained as an electronics’ technician. The bulk of his Navy career was served aboard the USS Corry, a state-of-the-art Radar Picket Destroyer. After leaving active duty in 1959, Gene became a Technical Representative for Philco Corp. which later became Philco Ford Corp. In 1962, Gene entered the University of Texas at Austin where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1965. He returned to Philco Ford at the Johnson Space Center in Houston where he participated in the design and development of telemetry systems for the Apollo Program. In 1968, Gene was offered an opportunity to help start a new electronics’ firm in San Antonio, Computer Terminal Corp., which was later renamed Datapoint Corp. Gene moved his family to Kendall County and purchased 15 acres east of Boerne. Things did not work out for Datapoint and Gene decided to try his hand in private business. He founded Entertainment Properties Inc. (EPI), a company that leased, serviced and repaired coin-operated vending and gaming machines. In 1974, Gene expanded EPI to include two Night Clubs in San Antonio. Some of you older people might remember The Shadows, a “classy country” night spot, and the cozier Hidden Shadows Lounge. Having fulfilled his dream of being in the nightclub business, Gene sold all the assets of EPI in 1982 and entered the University of Texas San Antonio to pursue an MBA. In 1984, Gene returned to the Space Center in Houston with his old company which was now Ford Aerospace. He quickly rose to engineering management where he led teams of engineers in the integration and verification of software for both the Shuttle and International Space Station Programs. Gene retired from the Space Systems’ world as an employee of Lockheed Martin Corp. in 1997 (Lockheed purchased Loral Aerospace who had purchased Ford Aerospace.)

Gene’s leisure retirement lasted about five years until he became interested in the local county government in 2002. At that time, he decided to run for county commissioner. After a long, hard-fought campaign, he was elected commissioner and proudly served 12 years. Gene retired from county government in 2014 due to concerns that his battle with cancer would not allow him to effectively serve a fourth term.​

Gene was blessed with one daughter, Suzan, who passed away in March of this year with Covid. Suzan gave Gene two grandsons, Keith and Kenneth “Trey,” and one granddaughter, Tiffany. And, they gave him five great-grandsons, Gene, Levi, Sethan, Deagan and Aden. He also had the privilege of raising two amazing step-children, Karen and Jim Hurley. He also leaves behind the most wonderful wife a man could ever wish for (his words), Bonnie. Bonnie and Gene, often called Bonnie and Clyde, by friends, were always together. He was truly grateful for what she brought to his life. Bonnie has two daughters, Stefanye Froeschner and Brandi Smith Ygdivik, to help her through this time of sorrow.

Gene was raised in a very religious Lutheran family. His parents would probably not approve of his beliefs in later life. He preferred to believe that his life was liken to a light that was turned on at birth and grew brighter as he traveled through life. He hoped that his light has shown him a productive way, and perhaps was even bright enough to show the way for a few others along his path. After winning three battles with cancer he could not win the fourth. Gene’s light was turned off on August 12, 2022. Gene donated his body to the University of Texas Science Center. There will be no services held for Gene, per his wishes.