Gene (Marty) Marshall DeLoach, 80, a retired Texas game warden, passed away Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at Focus Care of Hamilton with family at his side after an extended illness. He was born March 12, 1943, in West Point, Georgia to the late Wade DeLoach and Doris Lettie Bee Maddox DeLoach.
In July 1962 in Montgomery, Alabama, he enlisted in the United State Army. His training took him to Lawton, Oklahoma where one day while at a drive-in with his buddies he first saw the love of his life, Shirley Ann Cosper. When she walked in, he told his buddies, “I am going to marry that girl.” On April 22, 1964 in Wichita Falls, Texas, he did just that.
The honeymoon was short lived when less than two months later in June 1964 he received his orders to leave for Vietnam, not returning until July 1965. He proudly served his country and after the military continued a life of public service.
After discharge from the Army, Gene and Shirley made their home in Killeen, Texas where he went to work for the Killeen Police Department. In 1972 he entered the Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Warden Academy and graduated in 1973. His first assignment was in Hemphill, Texas where he and his family spent two years before returning to the Central Texas area in 1975 to make Hamilton their home. He served as a Texas Game Warden for over 30 years, retiring for the second time in 2007.
Gene’s first love was family, followed closely by hunting and fishing with his friends and playing poker. His best days were spent outside, and he loved telling stories about his trips to Colorado with his buddies.
He is preceded in death by his parents Wade and Doris DeLoach, sister Wadene Dye of Alexander City, Alabama and grandson Tyler Elliott of Dublin, Texas.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley; his daughter, Michele Cathey and husband Joe of Hamilton; son, Michael DeLoach, of The Woodlands, Texas; son, Mark DeLoach of Brownwood, Texas; his grandchildren, Blake Cathey and wife Katie of Mineola, Texas; Justin Elliott and wife Jolene of Hamilton, Texas; Travis Elliott and wife Jamie of Dublin, Texas; Ethan Cathey of Hamilton, Texas; Sara Cathey of Starkville, Mississippi; and Chelsie Elliott of Dublin, Texas; great-grandchildren, Koen Mannis of Mineola, Texas; Jocelyn Elliott of Hamilton, Texas and Taygen, Carter and Mattilynn Elliott of Dublin, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Legion Post #222 PO Box 222 Hamilton, Texas.
Visitation will be Friday, May 19th, from 9:00 am until 11:00 am at Riley Funeral Home in Hamilton, Texas with a memorial service immediately following. Interment follows at Live Oak Cemetery in Youngsport, Texas.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.rileyfuneral.com for the DeLoach family.
