Gene Blalock

E. E. (Gene) Blalock, age 91, passed away on September 16, 2024, in Ft. Worth, TX, after a brief illness. Gene, or Shenny as he was called by his family, was born in 1933 to A.T. and Gussie Blalock and was the youngest of eight children. Gene grew up in Sugar Hill, TX, on the farm his father homesteaded. 

Gene graduated from Taco High School in 1950 and married Verna Hendrix in 1952. They had two children, Paul and Belinda. Gene joined the United States Air Force in 1953 and spent 12 years serving his country, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. He worked in the finance office and as a tactical instructor, and served in the Korean War and the early days of the Vietnam War. 

While in the service, Gene sang and played guitar in a country and western band called The Drifters. Throughout his life, he loved performing and never missed an opportunity to sing. He loved singing hymns and classic country songs as much as belting out silly ditties to make his audience smile. 

Gene married Shirley Gray in 1967, to whom he was married for nearly 55 years until Shirley’s death. Gene and Shirley had three children, Patrick, Steve, and Sandy, who were all born in different states due to Gene’s frequent relocations with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Gene’s job with the Corps took him and his family all over the country and even to Saudi Arabia. The family eventually settled in North Richland Hills, TX, in the mid-1980s. 

The self-proclaimed “Hero” at work, Gene spent most of his career in contract procurement, negotiating projects for the Strategic Defense Initiative, Superconducting Supercollider, World Bank, Trinity Railway Express, and countless other government and private ventures. He retired from the Corps in the late 1980s and spent the next several decades working for various entities, most notably and fondly with the Solis Group. Gene worked contract jobs through his 70s, until he finally settled into permanent retirement with Shirley. 

Gene and Shirley loved traveling the Southwest and going to Las Vegas during retirement. Gene lived an active life and made friends wherever he went. He played golf for many years at Diamond Oaks and Iron Horse in North Richland Hills and played in numerous senior tournaments and scrambles. Gene was a lifelong card player and enjoyed playing poker with his friends at the country clubs and in the retirement communities where he lived in his later years.

Gene was larger than life in many ways. He stood well over six feet tall, had striking blue eyes, a voice that commanded attention, and a magnanimous personality. A born entertainer, he loved telling jokes and sharing stories with his family and many friends. Gene loved his family and friends fiercely and would do anything to protect or help them in a time of need. He was especially proud of his children and grandchildren, the latter of whom could do no wrong in his eyes. His many dear friends, nieces, and nephews always held a special place in his heart. A lifelong, faithful Christian, Gene spent many years as a member of Davis Memorial United Methodist Church. Gene spent his final years as a member of Twin Oaks Baptist Church, led by his close friend Pastor Scott Ketchum. 

Gene is survived by his children, Paul Blalock (Kele), Belinda Brunson (Paul), Patrick Blalock, Steve Blalock, and Sandy Smith (Andy); his grandchildren Chase Blalock (Lacy), Chelsea Blalock, Colby Blalock, Colton Copeland, Abby Smith, and Millie Smith; two great-grandchildren, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his seven siblings, his wife, Shirley, and his grandson, James Blalock. 

Please join us in remembering Gene and interring his ashes. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 24 at Lucas Funeral Home in Hurst, TX, with a reception immediately following. He will be interred with full military honors at DFW National Cemetery at 1:00 p.m.