Loyd Eugene (Gene) Fort passed away on June 22, 2017, surrounded by his family at Baylor Scott & White in McKinney at the age of 76, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born and raised in Princeton, Texas Gene graduated from Princeton High School in 1959, as the class salutatorian. He was a multi-sport athlete as well as a Texas state FFA Officer. After graduation, Gene attended East Texas State University (Texas A&M-Commerce).
In 1962, he began three decades of service at G.W. Taylor Tank Company in Gunter, Texas where Gene ended his career there in 1996, rising to general manager and finally as president. After leaving Taylor Tank, he worked as a construction project manager until his final retirement in 2016.
Gene spent untold hours supporting youth sports in North Texas. He served as a coach and mentor where his impact on countless young people is still talked about today. A legendary storyteller who always seemed to have the perfect anecdote for any occasion, Gene’s personality was a big as Texas. His laugh was infectious and he truly never met a stranger. An “old school” tough guy who kept his struggles private, Gene was truly a fighter who had already beaten cancer twice but answered the bell for a third round with hope and optimism. To all that had a chance to just spend five minutes with Gene, you probably have already thought of a Gene Fort story. His energy and enthusiasm for life was evident in everything he did.
Gene is survived by his wife of 56 years, Tressye Lee (Branch) Fort of McKinney, Texas; son, Gregg Alan Fort of Oneonta, N.Y. and his wife Nicci Hays Fort of Des Moines, Iowa; son, Darren Lee Fort and his wife Debra (Johnson) Fort of McKinney, Texas; grandson, Parker Johnson Fort also of McKinney, Texas; sister, Carolyne (Fort) Curtis and her husband Richard of Princeton, Texas; nephews, Robert Curtis of Princeton, Texas, Rodney Curtis of Nacogdoches, Texas and Russell Curtis of McKinney, Texas, and niece Roxie (Curtis) Hester of Garland, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Loyd A. Fort and Lola Mae (Morrison) Fort both of Princeton, Texas.
The family will receive friends during a visitation on Sunday evening, June 25, 2017, from 6:30-8:30 pm at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, June 26, 2017 at Turrentine- Jackson-Morrow Chapel in Allen with Dr. Tommy Brumett of the First Methodist Church of McKinney officiating. Interment is to follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen. Pallbearers will be Johnny Bailey, Rick Carter, Robert Curtis, Rodney Curtis, Russell Curtis, Monte Self. Honorary pallbearer will be Parker Fort.
As an expression of sympathy, donations may be to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 or www.stjude.org in the memory of Loyd Eugene Fort.