Gene Arnold Whisenhant
Gene Whisenhant, 84, of Kountze, Texas passed away on Saturday, September 11, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Livingston, Texas on January 31, 1937. Gene is the son of the late Ernest and Tony Whisenhant of Kountze, Texas. Gene was a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church of Kountze, Texas.
Those to cherish his memories are his loving wife of sixty years, Jo Ann Whisenhant of Kountze, Texas; his four sons and their families, Cynthia and Lindsey Whisenhant of Woodville Texas, Kathryn and Wallace Whisenhant, Angela and Leslie Whisenhant, and Amy and Wayland Whisenhant, all of Kountze, Texas; eight grandchildren, Ashley, Barry, Matthew, Mark, Hayley, Kyle, Chase, and Trevor Whisenhant; ten great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ernestine Tevis of Lumberton, Texas and Vivian Overstreet of Kountze, Texas; and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and relatives.
Gene was a loving father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to all. But most of all he loved his wife Jo Ann who was most appreciated and loved by him. He could always be heard telling her,“We make a perfect team”.
His most cherished moments were spending time with his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and those most close to him. He dedicated and committed his life to all those he loved. He enjoyed following and supporting the activities of all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, “the little ones”. His most appreciated times were having one on one conversations with each of them.
Gene had many close friends in the community and in the life he led. Gene touched the lives of many as a family and as a friend. He was loved and respected by many. He will be remembered for his enduring commitment to his family, his tremendous work ethic, his selflessness and unwavering love for family, friends, and community. He believed in the good of all.
Gene began life as a child in Livingston, Texas. Shortly thereafter, his family moved to Anahuac, Texas then finally to Kountze, Texas. He attended public schools in Kountze and graduated early from KISD at the age of 16. Gene started his career early in life at the age of 17, going to work for the Humble Oil company, his ongoing career would include working in the teaching, oil and gas, refining and logistics industries. Gene had wonderful and dynamic career which was supported by a strong education and a continued desire for learning. He attended Lamar University and graduated from Stephen F. Austin University with a degree in mathematics while also earning his masters. Upon graduation he taught public school for five years. He taught school in Spurger, Texas, Sour Lake (Hardin-Jefferson), Texas, and Kountze, Texas. Shortly thereafter he went to work for the Halliburton Corporation in Beaumont, Texas as a district manager. After spending ten years with Halliburton, Gene went to work for Lamar Universities Oil and Gas Drilling Institute as an instructor and manager. Following his tenure at Lamar, Gene worked for the Swift corporation before finally going to work for the Mobil Oil Corporation in Beaumont, Texas as a maintenance manager for the refinery. Gene went on to spend thirty years with Mobil Oil excelling in various positions and assignments. After retiring from Mobil Oil Gene enjoyed his time in the community as well as time spent in the outdoors managing his properties and forestry. In life Gene believed in community service and served as a member of the Kountze Fire Department, Kountze ISD School Board and Kountze Masonic Lodge. He received numerous awards in his career and for community service. Gene was special to us all and will be greatly missed by all.
A gathering of Gene’s family and friends will be 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at First United Methodist Church, 1015 South Pine Street, Kountze, under the direction of Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee. A private graveside service will be held for his family.
Please observe social distancing guidelines. By attending any public event you are acknowledging the risk of exposure to the Corona Virus. Please follow the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control: cdc.gov
Video
Gathering of Family and Friends
- September 15, 2021
- 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Interment
Old Hardin Cemetery
- Old Cemetery Road, Texas, 77625,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Mr. Whisenhant was always visible in the community. He would always take time out to say hello and chitchat with me. He will definitely be missed.
We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Gene. He was well loved by the community and all who were around him. We had many good times when we were with him, and he will be missed by everyone. We are so sorry we were unable to come to the viewing. Our prayers are with you.
Our very sincere sympathy.
Such a sweet man, he will be missed by many friends and family. Prayers for the family.
Bubba was my cousin, and I always thought the world of him. He was solid in every facet of life . . . by loving his family, working hard to provide a good life for them, teaching and modeling the values of honesty, character, and work ethic. He was the family historian, and could tell interesting stories about our grandparents. I loved listening to them. Bubba modeled to me what a loving and caring father and grandfather should be to his family. I will think of him often and miss him greatly.
Lindsey and family,
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May your memories of your Dad give you all comfort in the days and years to come.
We have been mr and mrs wizz neighbors all my life he always had a story to tell me about my daddy and mama after they passed away it was always wonderful to be able to hear the stories he had to tell I will always remember him in the yard along with mrs wizz working in the flowers and keeping it pristine Him ridding around kountze in that white truck and on that tractor we had the privilege of getting to visit him before he passed he gave my husband several hats with the oil logo on it he tried to feed me chocolate like I needed it .. bless his heart we will never forget him and to you mrs wizz we are a few steps away and a phone call if you need anything .. I’m sorry he’s gone but will never ever be forgotten. Let God comfort y’all in the way only he can we love y’all Burlena and Danny Roberts
I’m so sorry to hear about Gene. I worked for him at Mobil Refinery and remember the lemon tree he planted next to the Annex building. Prayers for his family.
Alan (Pud) & Susan Martin
As a family our thoughts and prayers are with you guys. Mr. Gene was one of a kind! The man could work circles around just about anybody…definitely a leader of men! He always had a kind smile and even more important…a kind word. God Bless and may the Lord bring you guys an abundance of strength and peace in the days to come.
Sending our thoughts and prayers. God bless the family.
I’m sad beyond words….I am so sorry JoAnn and family…..sending love and prayers…xo
So sorry for your loss. I worked for Gene many times. He was a good man and a good friend.
JoAnn and family, I’m so sorry for your loss. Gene was a great guy and I enjoyed my time with him. I know he will be missed by so many. I know we’ll all be together again some day.
Gene was my math teacher in Jr. High and proved to be a very good instructor. He left Kountze schools for a better paying job in the oil industry. Certainly understood but a loss to many who needed a good teacher.
His progeny are creating their own legacy and his wife, a member of a Kountze pioneer family with deep Hardin county roots always friendly and classy. .
God bless the family during this time. The family has my prayers.