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Wilburn Eugene “Gene” Renegar of Shawnee, Oklahoma went to his heavenly home on Thursday, October 7, 2021, after passing peacefully in his sleep. He was 82 years old.
Gene was born on March 4, 1939, in Shawnee, Oklahoma to Wilburn Renegar and Ethel Mae Ziegler Renegar. He attended Washington Grade School, where his mother was the lunch lady known for her famous peanut butter bars. He spent his childhood running the river, getting into all kinds of mischief with his buddies. In 1957, he graduated from Shawnee High School, where he excelled at auto mechanics. He grew up in church, first at Calvary Baptist Church before becoming a life-long member of Immanuel Baptist Church.
Gene was drafted into the United States Army in 1960, where he spent a year stationed in Seoul, Korea, before his discharge in 1963. When he returned home, he met and married the love of his life, Linda Taylor, on December 9, 1966. The two welcomed his favorite and only daughter, Vonda Kay Renegar, in 1969.
After his service, he began his career at Tinker Air Force Base, where he worked for 33 years until his retirement in 1996. Once he retired, Gene’s favorite hobby was his motorcycle. He could often be spotted cruising around town, enjoying a beautiful breeze any time he could. He also worked several part-time jobs at Sears, Graves Floral, and Arvest Bank, where he met many friends.
Though he was quiet, Gene was known for his fun-loving ornery spirit. If he teased you, you could be sure he liked you. He loved traveling and spending time outside, especially on lakes across the United States with his friends and family. He adored being a grandpa and spent many hours at his grandkids’ sporting games. The Sooners were his team and he enjoyed kicking back for a game in his signature chair. Gene was a proud member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and enjoyed opportunities to explore his genealogy. If Will Rogers never met a man he didn’t like, Gene Renegar never met a dog he didn’t like. If he couldn’t get a dog to like him, he would try even harder until he succeeded. He usually did.
Gene adored his family above all else and was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He joins his parents, Wilburn and Mae Renegar in heaven. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Linda Taylor Renegar; his daughter, Vonda Renegar Muirhead, and son-in-law Tim Muirhead, of Tecumseh; two grandchildren, Macy and Colton Muirhead; and his favorite little dog Gypsy Rose. He is also survived by his sister Sharon Kay Smith, of Shawnee; his sister-and-brother-in-law Carol and Bobby Danner, of Shawnee; his sister-and-brother-in-law Judy and Quinton Bland, of Mesa, Arizona; his sister-and-brother-in-law Anita and David Ledford, of Russellville, Arkansas; his brother-and-sister-in-law, Richard and Jeanette Taylor, of Edmond, Oklahoma; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends that he loved fiercely.
Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, October 11, 2021 at Cooper Funeral Home. Family Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at Resthaven Memorial Park in Shawnee with Reverend Larry Sparks officiating. Public Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at Immanuel Baptist Church in Shawnee with Reverend Todd Fisher, Immanuel Baptist Church officiating. Services under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh. Please join the celebration of Gene’s life through Cooper Funeral Home’s Facebook page for live streaming of the service.