Gene Raymond Klingaman was born in Mineola, Texas to Vern Raymond Klingaman and Ruth Bricker Klingaman into a blended family of ‘yours, mine and ours’. He was the 8th of 9 total siblings, the last of the ‘boys’ in the family. He left us to be held in the arms of our Savior November 3, 2023 following a short illness.
The family moved from Mineola to Camp Chemical (Bay City) around the time the US became involved in World War II. Many of his older siblings were serving in the military at that time. Gene attended school in Bay City, moving to the Houston Heights area near the end of the war and attended Immanuel Lutheran School, Hogg Jr. High and Reagan High (now Houston Heights High School). He studied at the University of Houston in 1955.
Gene worked as a house painter with his brothers as well as helping his father with his commercial construction supply business. Trying something different, he went to work for Foley’s Department Store (now Macy’s), working his way up to Construction Manager, overseeing work for the entire region. While with Foleys in 1959, Gene met his life-long sweetheart Leona Harper who also worked there. They married October 22, 1960 – this was shortly after his parents passed away so his big brother Chuck Plummer and wife Fay stood up with him in their stead. Gene actually borrowed from three different banks to make certain he could give Lennie the kind of wedding she had dreamed of. From that time forward, his goal in life was to make all her dreams come true.
They began a long and happy time together enjoying bowling, hunting & fishing, dancing and cruising. Most importantly, they enjoyed time with their families. UG (Uncle Gene) and AL (Aunt Lennie) were there for all of us when we needed them. While they were not blessed with children of their own, they were OVER-blessed by a massive number of nieces and nephews who knew Uncle Gene and Aunt Lennie were always there for them, good times and not-so-good.
Always ready to serve, Gene joined the Army for a period of time. He was active in the community and gave of his time to the Painters Union. Following his father’s example of service, he became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge 125, serving as Vice Grand and Noble Grand in the 1960’s.
After his retirement, he answered the call and re-entered the construction field working for Way-Tech and overseeing Macy’s projects throughout Texas, although this DID interfere with the intense cruise schedules that Lennie set up for them!
Gene was preceded in death by his beloved wife (of 63 years!) Leona (Lennie) by fifteen days; his parents and siblings Lois (Bill) Tidwell, Bill Plummer, Charles ‘Chuck’ (Fay) Plummer, Don (Bertha) Klingman, Helen (JC ‘Buddy’) Hammock, Wallace ‘Junior’ (Virginia) Klingaman, Delores Klingaman and Ruth (Howard) Stinson. Also preceding him were several nieces and nephews – Carolyn, Betty Jean and Robert (Hammock), Patty Klingaman, Steve Klingaman, Carolyn Wright, Ernest Plummer and Lola Cole as well as other family by marriage – Shirley Denby, Pat Brawner, Jackie Jurischk, Carolyn Arrington and Nolan Trahan.
Survivors include that ever-present HUGE contingent of nieces and nephews – John Plummer (Sandy), Muriel Trahan, Sandra Shaw, William Tidwell (Susie), Janice Chambers (Michael), Zenith Stephens, Butch Klingaman (Nina), Donna Walleck (Val), Ronald Klingaman, Eddie Klingaman, Ellen Fontenot (Roland), Juanita Stinson, Warren Stinson, Linda Weider (Walt), Leon Plummer, Karen Allee, Tony Killingsworth (Shelli), Ronda Jurischk, Ryan Riva (Tiffany), Cara Garrett (Chris), Jim Southers (Amy), Eric Bowman (Shae and Gage), Haleigh Reeves, Len Richardson (Cindy), plus cousins and great nieces/nephews (and great-great/great-great-great). If your name was missed, please know that Gene knew EXACTLY who you are and loved each and every one of you!
A very special thank you to John and Sandy Plummer for being there every day with Gene for the weeks following his stroke. You helped him achieve a measure of peace and let him know he was not alone - for which we are all forever grateful. It also bears repeating that Gene and Lennie were extra-blessed with Blanca Smith and Charlie being an almost daily part of their lives. They were both a calming influence and a source of unconditional love and support. You meant the world to them both and will forever be a part of the family.
Service information Visitation Friday November 10th from 6:00 – 9:00 pm with funeral Saturday November 11th at 10:00 am Brookside Funeral Home in the main chapel, 13747 Eastex Freeway. Houston, TX 77039. 281-449-6511 The family invites guests to a lite lunch reception (following graveside committal) in the patio room at Brookside.
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