Gene Max Terhune

Gene was born on July 25, 1930, in Perryton, Texas, to Glen Alan Terhune and Dorsey Iantha Woods Terhune. He grew up on a farm outside Perryton where the family grew dry land wheat. Eventually he had three siblings, Treva, Sylvia and Jack. When Gene was a teen, the family purchased a home in Abilene, Texas, and commuted between the two towns as wheat planting and harvesting required. In 1948, Gene graduated from Abilene High and went on to attend Abilene Christian University where he met lifelong friends and the love of his life, Madge Hill. They married on July 31, 1950, and lived in Abilene, Big Lake, San Angelo and Snyder before moving to their home for the last 56 years on Maple Avenue in Odessa.

Gene learned carpentry as he began a career in the field after marriage, but as the family grew with the birth of Bob and then Roy, he went into the more lucrative oil field as a drill stem tester for Johnston Testers. Transfers within the company meant they lived in towns throughout west Texas and saw the arrival of Don while in Big Lake. Their move to Odessa in 1961 could have been short-lived when the company wanted them to move again. With children starting school, and not wanting them to see more change, Gene made the decision to go into business for himself so he could stay in Odessa. With a partner, whom he later bought out, he formed Permian Testers, Inc. and within a month found out that Amy was expected. There were some stressful and lean months, but hard work, determination and a reputation for honest and accurate work soon meant a successful business which he operated until his retirement.

Many people and charitable organizations were the beneficiaries of his generosity. Gene used his carpentry skills as a hobby and in multiple volunteer ways as he made cabinets, pens, salt and pepper shakers and a plethora of other items. As his workshop can attest, no piece of wood was too small to be discarded. He was also adamant that his creations were never to be sold, but were instead to be given away as gifts of love. To that end, friends and family were blessed with numerous and useful keepsakes. The New Mexico Christian Children’s Home also benefited from many wooden items from Gene’s workshop.

Along with his woodworking talents, he also had a green thumb which resulted in a huge garden and pecan orchard. He loved fresh produce to eat and give away.

An avid storyteller, Gene could remember names and events from throughout the years and loved to entertain the crowd with stories of past years. Any time he and his brother, Jack, were together, the stories would go on for hours.

Gene was also a private pilot and flew with friends and family to every state in the US except Hawaii. In his travels with Madge, they visited every continent, including Antarctica, enjoying the many different cultures, scenic places and interesting food.

Gene loved sports! Permian football, ACU track and playing golf with his buddies were all top interests.

He loved singing and acapella music and used his talents at the Sherwood Church of Christ where he taught music classes and led singing throughout his 56 year membership.

Gene is survived by his spouse of 66 years, Madge Terhune, sons: Bob and wife, Judy, of Lubbock, Texas; Roy and wife, Brenda, of Marshall, Texas; Don and wife, Cindy, of Abilene, Texas; and daughter: Amy Norris and husband, Dean, of Georgetown, Texas.

Also grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Lori Burk (husband, Shane), Claire and Elliott; Jeanne Stone (husband, Aaron), Lynlee, Rylan and Piper; Tiffany Dyess (husband, David), Colson and Caden; Kyle Terhune; Erica Robinson and Staton; Miles Terhune (wife Katie); Jerod Strickland (wife, Amanda), Corey and Autumn; Emily Tolbert (husband, Ricky), Parker, Ruger, Kimber and Miller; James (wife, Jamie), Jadyn and Jordan; Austin Norris (wife, Hannah) and James; Eden Williams (husband, Abe) and Emery. Brother, Jack Terhune, of Perryton, Texas; brother-in-law, Elwyn Partin of Mustang, Oklahoma; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Alex Terhune; sisters Treva Partin and Sylvia Hunter; and brother-in-law Bob Hunter

Services will be held at the Sherwood Church of Christ, 4900 N. Dixie Blvd, Odessa, Texas, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 24, 2017. A family visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 23, at Hubbard Kelly Funeral Home.