Gene A. Fears, 84, of Beaumont, died Thursday, June 4, 2015, at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, Beaumont. A native and lifelong resident of Beaumont, he was born on April 9, 1931, to Ethleen Pickle Fears and W. H. Fears. Gene was a United States Air Force veteran, having served in the Korean War. He retired from Mobil Oil as a maintenance superintendent after over thirty years of employment.
Gene enjoyed golfing, hunting, and fishing. He sang with the Harmony Exporters for many years and loved volunteering at Baptist Hospital. Gene was a member of the Beaumont City Council; former Rodeo Chairman and member of the YMBL; and he was a member of the Keymen Organization of the YMBL.
Gene is survived by his children, Bill Fears and his wife, Mary; Gene “Butch” Fears, Jr. and his wife, Debbie, of Montgomery; and Linda Barrows and her husband, David, of Bevil Oaks; grandchildren, Carissa Barrows, Casey Barrows Lourde, Kimberly Fears Gonzalez, Bradley Fears, and Christina Fears; and great-grandchildren, Landon Lourde, Aiden Lourde, Colton Gonzalez, and Aubree Fears.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dolores Fears; and brother, William Robert Fears.
A gathering of Mr. Fears' family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Sunday, June 7, 2015, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 8, 2015, at St. John Lutheran Church, 2955 South Major Drive, Beaumont, with his interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ronald McDonald House, 1907 Holcombe Drive, Houston, Texas 77030; Altus Health Care, 370 North 10th Street, Beaumont, Texas 77702; or to St. John Lutheran Church, 2955 South Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77702.
