Millard Eugene Kuykendall

He is preceded in death by both his parents, Johnny Millard and Blanche Kuykendall and his loving wife Wanda Joy Kuykendall.

He is survived by his wife Mary Lou Kuykendall; his son Millard Kuykendall, daughter-in-law Julie, grandson Sam and granddaughter Leigh Ann, his son David Kuykendall, daughter-in-law Donna, and Granddaughter Ashley and her husband Micah; his daughter Lynn Chenevert, son-in-law David and granddaughter Zara Matthews. He was also survived by family members Donna Neuburger, her daughters Katerina, Alexander, Audrey, Tedi; Diana Stringer, her son Cade, and her daughter Mallory; Darla Dobie; Dara and Jim Crane; and Derek Stringer. As well as other numerous family and friends.

Known as Gene, he will be missed by all his family and friends. Gene was born in Mayfield, Oklahoma. He grew up on a farm in western Oklahoma. He graduated from Sweetwater Oklahoma High School and obtained a B.S. in Animal Science from Oklahoma State University.

Throughout college he worked at the Beef Cattle Center and was a member of the 1953 OSU NCAA Championship Livestock Judging Team. After two years in the service he worked at numerous ranches. While there, had a successful show string with champions. He was a herdsman at Warkentin Hereford Ranch in Lawton, Oklahoma where for several years he showed and fitted champions in numerous fairs. He showed the grand champion female at the only world conference held in the United States.

Gene began his work with Beef Cattle Associations in 1963 when he was appointed director of field services for the American Polled Hereford Association. In 1970 he managed the Paul Deer Farm in Springfield, Ohio and began his tenure with Beefmaster's Breeders Universal in April 1976. In August of the same year, he was appointed Executive VP. While with BBU, he campaigned for and supported numerous performance programs; the weights and measures programs, BBU approved sales, and the merit breeder program. Gene was also instrumental in helping establish the Mexican BBU and developing markets for Beefmaster's in Columbia, Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela, Honduras, Australia and South Africa.

He has served on several committees in the National Cattlemen's Association, on the board of directors for the National Pedigreed Livestock Council, and as VP and President of the Beef Breed Council. Gene's expertise and insight into the beef cattle industry made him one of the most well respected breed association leaders in the US.

Presently he was a director of the South Texas Children's Home in Beeville, Texas and he was an active member of the Prayer Warriors class at the First Baptist church in Boerne, Texas.

Though his life was full of many successes, his greatest success in life was loving and caring for his family and friends. He was always there for us and he was a great man. He will be missed deep in our hearts forever. And as Gene would have said, "I'm going fishing."

Millard will be sent to Oklahoma for a service at Sweetwater Baptist Church with interment in Buffalo Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, October 30, 2011, at Porter Loring Mortuary North Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The South Texas Children's Home in Beeville, Texas.