July 19, 1942 –  May 17, 2011  H. E. “Gene” Abernathy, Jr.Chief Petty Officer, Navy (Ret.)
Born: July 19, 1942
Died: May 17, 2011
Visitation: Friday, May 20, 2011; 6 – 8 p.m.
Funeral Service: Saturday, May 21, 2001; 1:00 p.m. at Meador Funeral Home Chapel in Whitesboro. Interment at Oakwood Cemetery.
Gene Abernathy served more than 20 years in the U. S. Navy from 1959-1980 as well as serving during the Vietnam War. He became a Chief Petty Officer while stationed in Georgia and was very proud of this achievement.
Gene was also an avid and proficient golfer, acquiring his golf professional status with the PGA. He went on to manage and operate golf courses for the state of Oklahoma at Lake Texoma and Quartz Mountain, eventually retiring from the state. After leaving Oklahoma, he managed Willow Bend golf course in Wichita, Kansas as the golf professional.
During and between these two careers, he worked for the U. S. Postal Service for a time as well as being a gifted mechanic. He went on to own and operate his own shop in Gordonville, Texas. He also worked for Holiday Chevrolet and Raney Ford of Whitesboro, Texas.
Gene, as he was usually called, often worked two jobs along with maintaining his careers. He had an unstoppable desire to provide for his family and a very strong work ethic.
He loved his family and always made sure they were taken care of. He was very much loved and will be missed always.
He was preceded death by his father and mother, H. E. Abernathy, Sr. and Willie Abernathy.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Abernathy; son, Bruce Abernathy, and wife, Janice; daughter, Karen McFarlin, and husband, Don; son, Mark Abernathy, and wife, Jana; grandchildren, Brooke Russell, and husband, Adam; Jesse Abernathy, Trace Abernathy, and Aaron Abernathy; great-grandchildren, Adisyn and Miley Russell; his sister, Frances Troth; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project @www.woundedwarriorproject.org