Gene Ray Mendel, 94, of Frisco, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of memories and a family who will miss him dearly. Gene was born on May 11, 1932, in Houston, Texas, to Ernest and Frances Schehin Mendel.
Gene proudly served four years in the United States Navy before beginning a long and accomplished career as an accountant. A gifted accountant and true wizard with numbers, he earned the affectionate nickname “Numbers” among his friends. He began his career as a partner in the Houston accounting firm Miledge, Savage, Sinclair, and Mendel. The firm later merged with Deloitte, one of the world’s leading international accounting firms, where Gene continued his career until retiring after 35 years.
On June 3, 1960, Gene married Joyce Marie Gubbels in Galveston, Texas. For 66 years, Gene and Joyce shared a life together, building a family and creating countless memories along the way.
While Gene was highly accomplished professionally, those who knew him best will remember him for much more than his career. He had a wonderful, dry sense of humor and a quiet wit that could catch you by surprise. His intelligence, humor, and easygoing nature made him someone people simply enjoyed being around.
Outside of his work, Gene had two great passions: music and golf. He loved music and the way it brought people together. He was also an avid golfer and a founding member of Stonebriar Country Club in Frisco, where he spent many happy hours enjoying the game he loved and the friendships that came with it.
Above all, Gene was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Joyce Mendel of Frisco; his daughter, Tracy Richards and her husband, Tom, of Flower Mound; his son, Bruce Mendel of Galveston; and his grandson, Tanner David Richards.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Frances Mendel; his brothers, Ernest Mendel, Jr., Calvin Mendel, and Clarence Mendel; his son, David Rudolph Mendel; and his daughter, Kristin Kay Mendel.
Gene’s 94 years were filled with service, accomplishment, friendship, family, laughter, and a lifetime of stories that will continue to be shared by those who knew and loved him. He will be deeply missed and forever loved.
Visitation will be held at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 8520 Main Street, Frisco, Texas 75033, on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a Rosary at 6:00 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 7000 Morning Star Drive, The Colony, Texas 75056, on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.
The committal service will be held at Davis-Greenlawn Cemetery in Rosenberg, Texas, on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Gene’s memory to Scottish Rite for Children or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.