Born on January 28, 1942, Eugene (Gene) Raymond Menze, beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend, departed this earthly life on December 22, 2022, at the age of 80. He was the second oldest child of the late Raymond Frederick and Mildred Margaret (Scheumann) Menze.
Gene grew up in Ft. Wayne, IN, and graduated from Ball State University in Muncie with a degree in Business Administration. In 1964, he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Kathryn (Kathy) Elizabeth Moore, and settled in Medina, OH, where they were blessed with two lovely daughters, Paige Diane (Menze) Tombaugh and Sandra Lee (Menze) Petrie. After a brief stop in Florida, the family moved to Plano, TX, in 1987 where Gene would live the rest of his life.
A devout Lutheran and man of faith, Gene was an active member of Preston Meadow Lutheran Church in Plano, TX, where he sang in the choir and was part of the men’s bible study. Gene was the consummate family man who fiercely loved and protected “his girls.” Outside of his family, Gene’s passion was playing golf, where he was known for his steady play and infectious laugh. Always quick with a contagious smile and sage advice, Gene was a friend to all who knew him.
Gene was happiest when spending time with his family, and he was profoundly proud of every one of them. Over the past 20 years, he adored the close relationship he developed with his grandsons, Drew and Mitch Petrie. As their “Papa,” Gene took every opportunity to spend time with them fishing, golfing, playing cards, or simply just talking. Gene also burst with pride when his grandsons also became brothers (along with son-in-law Bill) in the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.
Gene is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Kathy of Plano, TX; daughter Paige Tombaugh of Plano, TX; daughter and son-in-law Sandy and Bill Petrie of Franklin, TN; grandsons Drew and Mitch Petrie of Franklin, TN; and brother and sister-in-law, Don and Carol Menze of Ft. Wayne, IN. He was preceded in death by his sister, Pati Bobay; brother, Tom Menze; and son-in-law, T.J. Tombaugh.
Gene would love to be remembered with stories that celebrate all that was good and blessed in his life.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 6, 2023, at 1:30 PM at Preston Meadow Lutheran Church in Plano, TX.