Eugene I. Reynolds Jr., 56, passed away Sept. 23, 2006, at his home after a seven-month battle against pancreatic cancer.

Funeral: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in Greenwood Chapel. Burial: Greenwood Memorial Park. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Greenwood Funeral Home.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gene's name to Community Hospice of Texas, 6100 Western Place, Suite 500, Fort Worth, Texas 76107, or American Cancer Society, 3301 West Freeway, Fort Worth, Texas 76107.

Gene was born June 18, 1950, in Kerrville. Gene was a member of the Disabled American Veterans Association, having proudly serving in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1972 and was a Vietnam veteran.

Gene was a locomotive engineer with the Union Pacific Railroad, serving 26 years with the railroad and as president of the United Transportation Union continuously since 1991.

Gene married Carol Reynolds in 1978, and she remained his lifelong best friend. Carol, along with Gene's cousins, Van Parton of Burkburnett and Lyndale Powell of Atlanta, Ga., were also at his side during his last days. Alcoholics Anonymous and God's eternal grace entered Gene's life March 25, 1991. His tireless commitment to revealing God's grace through sobriety touched countless lives. His "southwest" home group is witness that his 15 years of sobriety is now truly everlasting.

Gene loved driving trains, sailing and long walks, but his greatest loves included creating and sharing his beautiful country music lyrics, playing guitar with "the boys" and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene Sr. of Kerrville and Louise Parton Blair of Whitmire, S.C.

Survivors: Son, Robert and wife, Monica, of Benbrook; and daughter, Kristy and husband, Jimmy Murillo, of Fort Worth. Gene was the proud grandfather of Connor, Austin, Angelique and Isabell. He is also survived by his brother, Al, and wife, Laurie, of Pullman, Wash.; sister, Phyllis German of Chowchilla, Calif.; half sister, Sandra Reynolds of Kerrville; and numerous cousins in Texas and Georgia.
Published in the Star-Telegram on 9/26/2006.