Gene Lauderdale surrounded by his loving family went to be with his Lord and Savior on November 21, 2012.

He was born Aug 17, 1940 in Henderson, Texas to David Calvin and Grady Elizabeth Lauderdale.

He grew up in East Texas, and later moved with his family to Shawnee, Oklahoma in 1954.

Gene attended Shawnee High School where he graduated in 1959. He played football, baseball, and basketball. He received Honorable Mention All American in basketball and Honorable Mention All-State in baseball. Gene received a full scholarship upon graduation to Oklahoma City University, where he played basketball for Coach Abe Lemmons. Gene furthered his basketball career in the United States Air Force at McCoy Air Force Base in Orlando, Florida. He went on to receive the Most Valuable Player Award in the Strategic Air Command World Tournament.

Gene met the love of his life in 1962, Jane Burrahm. Gene and Jane were married December 22, 1962 at Morning Star Baptist Church in Meeker, Oklahoma. He and Jane returned to Shawnee, Oklahoma where he was employed at Tinker Air Force Base and completed his inactive duty. After he completed his inactive duty he and Jane began their family of which he was so very proud. Their only child, Lori Lynn was born March 27, 1969.

He was later employed in sales for many years until he began his career with Oklahoma Natural Gas Company in 1981. He remained with the gas company until his retirement in December 2002.

Gene was very active in the church and in the community. He was a dedicated Christian, strong in his faith anointed to sing, teach, and pray for others. He was called to the music ministry as a Praise and Worship Leader. Gene was a member of Grace Fellowship church where he served as an Elder.

He was also known for his golfing abilities and was a lifetime member of the Shawnee Elks Country Club. He set a course record on the back nine, with an eight under par in 1970. He won the club tournament twice and was runner-up in the Oil Valley Tournament in 1981 at the Shawnee Country Club. Gene was inducted into the Shawnee Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. Gene's hobbies also included OU Football, OBU Basketball, fishing, and traveling.

He is survived by his wife, Jane of the home; one daughter, Lori Lynn Pecore and her husband Robert Pecore of Willis, Texas; as well as his grandchildren, Candace Chisholm of Willis, Texas, Madison Plunkett of Stroud, Oklahoma and Jared Pecore of Shawnee, Oklahoma.

He is also survived by two brothers, Roy Lauderdale and wife Mary of Ocala, Florida; David Lauderdale and wife Lola of Bakersfield, California; sister-in-laws, Kathryn Tidmore and husband Jim Tidmore of Norman, Oklahoma; and son Kyle Tidmore also of Norman; Carol Fuller and husband Leon Fuller of Seminole, Oklahoma; nephews, Randy Lauderdale and wife Paula, of Shawnee Oklahoma; Jeff Lauderdale, Seminole Oklahoma; nieces, Kelly Hilburn and husband Tim Hilburn of Guthrie, Oklahoma; Wendy Barnett and husband Darryl Barnett of Richmond, Kentucky; as well as a host other friends and relatives.

He was preceded in death by his father, David Calvin and mother, Grady Gooch; brothers, Ray Lauderdale and Ike Lauderdale; father and mother in law, Quentin and Juanita Burrahm.

Services will be at Liberty Baptist Church Monday, November 26 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Bill Matthews and Phil Thompson officiating.

Accompanying Pastor Matthews will be Jerry Barham, Pastor of Grace Fellowship and Pastor Monty Lamb, of Branson, Missouri.

Guest Speaker will be Coach Gerald Chesney.

Burial will follow at New Hope Cemetery, Meeker, Oklahoma.

Submitted & © by: Philip Beloncik