Donald Gene Autrey passed from this life and walked into the loving arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Monday, October 23, 2023, after receiving a cancer diagnosis only one month ago.
Gene was born at Methodist Hospital in Dallas, Texas on Friday, April 26, 1940, to Horace Clyde Autrey and John Richard (Pevehouse) Autrey. He was the youngest of three children born to the family.
Gene grew up in Oak Cliff and he was proud to be a Bison and a graduate of Sunset High School (Class of 1958.) He was the Chairman of the Sunset High School Class of 1958's 50th Anniversary Reunion. He stayed connected with as many of his high school friends as possible. He and his wife, Janet, had lunch with his high school friends once a month. Gene especially cherished the friendships he had with fellow Bison Al Yergan, Bill Melton and his best childhood friend, Richard Webb.
After graduating from high school, Gene moved to Arizona where he worked alongside his father operating the Geronimo Trading Post on Route 66 in Holbrook. There, Gene developed a love for all things Arizona. He enjoyed meeting, trading with and learning from the Navajo. He explored the local mountain trails and was regularly in awe of northern Arizona’s breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. Gene and his Dad welcomed many tourists into the trading post and were proud to serve them Geronimo’s signature cherry drink, which Gene mixed himself and then sold by the cup or by the gallon. Gene also enjoyed caring for the prairie dogs in the store’s prairie dog display. He was the only person who could hold or care for the prairie dogs because they trusted him. While living and working in Arizona, Gene developed a keen knowledge of rocks, minerals, rock polishing, geological formations, and he could identify several types of petrified wood commonly found in northern Arizona.
Gene attended the University of Texas at Arlington and worked towards a Bachelor of Arts in History. He was a history buff and especially loved studying the history of the Native North and Central Americans, as well as biblical history and the Life of Jesus. Gene was a patriot who proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1963 to 1965 and in the Texas Air National Guard 221st Radio Relay Squadron from 1967 to 1969.
Gene worked in several industries throughout his career. He worked in the construction industry for Fox & Jacobs, American Housing Guild and E.F. Hauserman. He worked in sales for KPLX in Dallas and KOFX (Fox92) in El Paso. He worked in the printing industry for ABC Printing in Irving and Knight Graphics in Garland. Gene retired from Knight Graphics and, after spending some time at home polishing the furniture until the finish came off, he decided to return to the workforce and went to work at the Kroger store on Greenville Ave. in Allen. He finally decided to 'officially' retire at the tender age of eighty. He loved putting patio furniture together at the store, bagging groceries and helping people load their items into their cars. He also loved it when the little old ladies would refer to him as a ‘young man’ because he was often several years older than his customers. Gene was proud to work for Kroger. He was even recognized for saving a customer’s life when she collapsed in the store while shopping.
Gene married Diane Edwards on June 12th, 1971, and together they had two children, Dena and Mark.
Gene married the love of his life, Janet Kay Davis, on July 4, 1992 – on what would have been his parents’ 66th wedding anniversary. He and Janet were married for thirty-one blissful years. They faithfully attended church each Sunday, they loved to go on dates, and they enjoyed visiting Granbury to watch the ‘music show’ with their good friends Jim and Sandra Mankowich. They loved to take trips to Sedona, Arizona and Albuquerque, New Mexico. They loved to feed and talk to all the birds and bunnies who stopped by to visit their front yard. They loved spending time with their kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids – especially on holidays. Gene and Janet never argued and they took great care of one another. Janet will miss her ‘Honey’ for the rest of her life.
Gene loved Studebakers and Blue Bell ice cream. He loved to read books and eat strawberry cake. He loved music of all kinds - especially The Eagles and Jimmy Buffet. He often listened to elevator music when he was doing housework or relaxing in the living room recliner. He loved to teach Sunday School to adults and kids alike. He mentored students from Preston Hollow Elementary in Dallas and Burks Elementary in McKinney. Gene was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in McKinney where he served as a Lay Minister, a Chalice Bearer and has served in past years on the church vestry. He and Janet also volunteered in the church office each week until he became ill. Gene served on the Commission on Ministry and as a Delegate to Convention for the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas. He often jokingly referred to himself as the ‘Lay Bishop.’ Gene served the City of Allen on various boards and commissions for a total of thirteen years. He was a member and Chair of the Board of Adjustments, the Building and Standards Commission and Sign Control for ten years. He was promoted by the city council to the Planning and Zoning commission where he served for three more years.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Horace Clyde ‘Chubby’ Autrey (1903-1973) and John Richard ‘Jonnie’ Autrey (1904-1991), his sister, Patsy Lynn Autrey (1927-1929), his beloved mother-in-law, Mary Ruth Hatcher Davis (1922-2008), his brother, Richard Clyde Autry (1932-2012), his nephew, Richard Clyde Autry, Jr, (1960-2021), and his dear friend in Christ, Tom Stuart (1942-2022.)
Gene is survived by his beloved wife, Janet Kay Autrey; his daughter, Dena Autrey Johnson and spouse, Donnie Burge (Alba, TX); son, Mark C. Autrey (Dallas, TX); daughter Shawna Lynn Gaines and husband, Keith (Sherman, TX); daughter Michelle Perkins and husband, Jason (Sherman, TX); nieces Linda Autry Kyle and husband, Jeff (Heath, TX), Debra Autry McCommas (Mesquite, TX) and Laura Patricia Autry (Frankston, TX); grandchildren Piper Johnson, Trey Sexton and wife, Marlee (Suwanee, GA); Travis Sexton and wife, Victoria (Hibbit, TX), Tyler Perkins and wife, Emme (Anna, TX) and Lexi Mosse and husband, Winston (Sherman, TX); great-grandchildren Tarcy, Sienna, Tylee, Cooper, Hayes and Ramsey, who is due in November of 2023. He is also survived by his favorite brother-in-law, Kirk Davis and favorite sister-in-law, Karla Davis of Albuquerque, NM, and their children, niece Kaymon Davis Green and husband, Ryan (Grand Prairie, TX), and nephews Arik Davis (Austin, TX), Justin Cash (Ft. Worth, TX) and Ryan Davis and wife, Lauren (Groton, CT.)
Donald Gene Autrey was a good son, husband, uncle, brother-in-law, and friend. He was a faithful servant to God. He loved with his whole heart and he was not afraid to tell you that. Most of all, he was an amazing Dad and Grandaddy and his kids and grandkids will miss him forever.
Gene will lie in state on Thursday, October 26, 2023, in a private room at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 N. Central Expressway, Allen, Texas 75013. Friends and family may visit him and sign the guestbook anytime between the hours of 1:00 PM and 9:00 PM on that day.
There will be a private burial on Friday, October 27, 2023, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 PM at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 400 North College Street, McKinney, TX 75069 with a reception to follow in the Parish Hall. To view a live broadcast of the memorial service, please click this link: https://youtube.com/live/wKBTrcoRm-0.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in memory of Donald Gene Autrey.