The Oklahoman

Gene Ronald Southwick

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GILBERT, AZ - Gene Ronald Southwick, husband, father, grandfathe­r geologist, fisherman, canasta player and Cardinals and Diamondbac­ks fan, was born September 23, 1926, in Enid, Oklahoma to Harlow and Anna Southwick. Gene passed away on May 15, 2021, at his home in Gilbert, AZ. Gene was educated in the Garber, OK school system and, after graduating, Gene joined the US Navy where he trained in anticipati­on of an invasion of Japan. However, the war ended, and Gene was discharged in 1946.

While enrolled in Texas Tech University, Gene met and married the love of his life, Wilma Tubbs and built a life and a family with Wilma. Their marriage lasted until March 20, 2019, with Wilma’s death at age 90. They enjoyed 70 years, 6 months, and 9 days of marital happiness.

Gene earned a degree in Petroleum Geology in 1950 and had a long career in oil and gas exploratio­n taking the family to Louisiana, Texas, Wyoming, and Oklahoma. Gene left the oil business in 1966 to take up farming, but the oil embargo of 1973 lured him back into the oil industry where he worked for the remainder of his life.

After retirement, Gene and Wilma bought a farm west of Guthrie, Oklahoma where they sold land to families wanting to build homes. But, most importantl­y to them, they donated land to their church, and now Our Savior Lutheran Church now has a permanent location.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Wilma, brother Jack, sister Norma, and daughter Claudia. Gene is survived by Jeff (son), Ellen (daughter) Taylor of Arkansas, Rebecca (daughter) Rodgers of Arizona, and grandsons Warren and Garrett Taylor and Griffin and Brad Peterson. While his family mourns his loss, they know he is with his beloved wife, daughter, and God.

Services for Gene will be at 10 a.m. on September 11, 2021, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 3 miles West of Guthrie on Hwy. 33 at the corner of Hwy. 33 and Santa Fe. The family asks that out of respect for Gene, please wear a mask.

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