Submitted by Martha Reddout
Earl "Gene" Eugene Courtney
(March 15, 1943 - July 29, 2014)
Earl Eugene "Gene" Courtney was born March 15, 1943 in Burden, Kansas. He passed away July 29, 2014 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at the age of 71 years.
Our precious Gene Courtney has passed from this world and we will miss dearly his kindness, gentleness, and how his blue eyes lit up when he was teasing us or telling stories of his Navy adventure days. He grew up in the rural Kansas where he relished fishing, tasting his dad's bakery treats and later hot roding with friends on country roads.
In 1962, he joined the Navy where his intelligent drive took him to the top of his field in submarine - technical maintenance in which he held the title of Naval chief electronics technician. He would live submerged for months at a time for Cold War operatives in the Atlantic. At times, his bed was next to the submarine's nuclear equipment. He was able to visit the ports of Spain, Scotland, Italy and Egypt, where he would later recall great stories. While chief, he taught electronic and math classes. His two lovely daughters were born at the end of his enlistment. During this time, he moved to Chesapeake, Virginia to a charming little home next to a tidal creek.
After his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1982, Gene began a career in fiber-optic maintenance and instillation for the FBI so he could be closer to his family. In 2003, he was delighted to become a grandfather and he also met Evelyn, whom he later married in April of 2004. He then acquired 6 stepdaughters and many grandchildren, whom he loved and cared for as his own. In 2006, he and Evelyn moved to Sulphur, Oklahoma next to the lake, where they would boat around for an evening with fishing poles and fried chicken when his mobility was better. Family began calling their home "Ma and Pa's resort" and would invade for holidays. Gene always greeted the large family with a big smile and a "Howdy, howdy!" He loved fishing, eating all-American cuisine, listening to conservative talk radio, watching Nascar, History Channel, old WWII movies, westerns, especially with John Wayne and he enjoyed watching Downtown Abbey with his family gathered around. He always had a love for God; he taught Sunday school in Virginia and he decided to be re-baptized in Jesus's name this past winter.
Beginning in spring, his health began to decline, but he always exhibited bravery, kindness and a sense of humor in the face of lung caner. His wife and stepfamily will ever treasure the 11 years they were able to spend time with him. He was a constant gentle presence and always interjected humor into our lives. We always knew how much he dearly loved his wife, family and country. We could not have asked for a more amazing husband, father, grandfather and stepfather to have loved and cared for.
Survivors include his wife Evelyn of the home; 2 daughters, Heather Meade and Holly Courtney both of North Carolina; 6 step daughters, Becky Cronister of Crescent, Deborah Donovan of Auburn, California, Laurie Gerics of Auburn California, Mary Monden of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, Keren Beasley of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Sara Beasley of San Diego, California; 1 sister, Judy Goodwin of Neosho, Missouri; 16 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Friday, August 1, 2014 at the Crosspointe Church with Pastor Shawn Phillipps, Pastor Delbert Cronister, and Rev. Bill Monden officiating. Burial will follow in the Crescent Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Abernathy Aaron Funeral Home in Crescent. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.abernathyaaron.com.
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