Retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant Gene Alton Sigler, also known affectionately as “Banks”, “Nash”, and “Papa Gene”, was born in San Augustine County, Texas on February 19, 1941. He was the eldest child of the late Mrs. Ollis “Cot” Sigler Ellington. Gene was one of four children. A brother, James Howard “Judge” Arnold, preceded him in death.
Growing up, Gene attended Lincoln Elementary School and Lincoln High School in San Augustine County, Texas. Eager to escape the confines of rural and segregated East Texas, he enlisted in the Army in 1959 in Little Rock, Arkansas. In addition to several domestic tours of duty, he served overseas in Korea, Europe, and Vietnam. Gene retired from the Army in 1982 in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Awards he earned during his military service include the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Campaign Stars, Army of Occupation Medal (Berlin), Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, numerous Good Conduct Medals, Army Service Ribbon, five Overseas Service Ribbons, and three Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons.
For a short, but very proud time in Gene's life he worked for the Boston Celtics.
After a second career in the federal civil service in locations such as Maryland, Montana, and Germany, he retired for good in Texas in 1997.
In 2006, Gene met Myra his loving wife of 16 years at Sam's Warehouse Club, San Antonio, TX. Accompanying Gene was a long time military buddy JJ. A beautiful wedding followed in 2007 at Emmanuel A.M.E. Church, San Antonio, TX. Gene surprised Myra with a beautiful white horse and carriage after the wedding. Gene and Myra's marriage was the "light" of their life.
A stroke in 2012 failed to slow him down. Gene’s family and friends will always remember him as a proud disabled veteran who loved travel, geography, sports, music, World War II history, poker, and political debates.
Our dear Gene passed away on January 19, 2023 at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas after a short battle with cancer exactly one month shy of his 82nd birthday. He is survived by his wife, Myra (Hill) Sigler of Universal City, Texas; mother-in-law, Mrs. Nancy Hill of Universal City, Texas; two daughters, Sonji Sigler of Austin, Texas and Cybill Sigler of Arlington, Virginia; stepson Adrian Comer of San Antonio, Texas; four step-grandchildren, Adreanna Comer, Breanna Comer, Adrian Comer Junior, Paris Kaydence Comer; brother, Charles (Patricia) Ellington of Nacogdoches, Texas; sister, Patsy (Willie) Johnson of Center, TX; along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends, and neighbors.
They say there is a reason.
They say time will heal.
Neither time nor reason will change the way I feel.
Gone were the days we used to share. In my heart you’ll always be.
There the gates of memories will last forever and will never close.
I miss you more than anyone knows.
You are more than a husband,
My partner for life, my soulmate, my best friend,
My heart will never mend.
Your heart is my heart for life, and I will never lose sight.
Good times were great times
We have had bad times.
You were available and always there, No matter what,
And I want the world to know this as I seal it with a kiss,
Oh honey, you will be missed.
I love you today as I have from the start,
And I will love you forever with all my heart.
Love to no end, your wife, Mrs. Myra Sigler
A visitation for Gene will be held Monday, February 13, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Colonial Funeral Home, 625 Kitty Hawk Road, Universal City, TX 78148. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, February 14, 2023 from 12:00 PM at Colonial Funeral Home. A committal service will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209. A funeral reception and family gathering will be held after at Gene and Myra's home.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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