Gene Merrell

Gene Franklin Merrell, age 71, passed away of natural causes at home on Monday, Nov. 19, 2018. 

He was born on June 27, 1947 in Ft. Worth, Texas to Levi Eugene and Frieda Merrell. He was a graduate of Richland High School and continued on to Cisco Junior College with a full baseball and football scholarship. 

He married Bobbie Lee Gore on Jan. 27, 1970 and had three children – Melissa, Nicole, and Jeff. 

After leaving Cisco, he was scouted by professional teams and continued to play baseball and received many athletic awards. He finished his baseball career playing catcher at the University of Texas at Arlington, where he earned a degree in business and marketing. 

After graduation, he spent three years in Germany serving the insurance needs of military families. 

Upon his return, he obtained his real estate and broker license and worked for many years in a successful real estate career. 

Over the last few years, he took joy in managing his own business doing remodeling and home repairs. 

He was a lifelong fan of the Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys and enjoyed many lifelong friendships in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

He is proceeded in death by his father, Levi Eugene Merrell and his sister, Jane Powers. 

He leaves behind his mother, Frieda Merrell; his children, Melissa and David Lowrie, Nicole and Jason Reynolds, and Jeff and Tara Merrell; along with 10 grandchildren, Madison, Mitchell, Matthew, and Drew Lowrie, Alex, Henry, Ben, and Anna Reynolds, and Alice and Eleanor Merrell. He also leaves behind nephews, a great-niece, and several cousins and many supportive friends. 

There was a celebration of life memorial service honoring Gene on Friday, Nov. 30 at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home Chapel.