Gene Arlen Juranka

Gene was born on October 19, 1933 in Lake Charles, but was raised in Cameron, LA and graduated from Creole High School in 1952. In May of 1953, Gene enlisted in the United States Marine Corp and received his Honorable Discharge in 1957. He was a proud veteran and continued his military service for 4 additional years, until 1961, in the Marine Air Reserves. While on active duty, Gene participated in the Puerto Rican maneuvers in 1954 and 1956, the Cuban maneuvers in 1956 and in operations aboard the USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN in 1957.

After fulfilling his military service, Gene went to work for Continental Oil Company (Conoco) where he remained employed for almost 30 years until his retirement. During his years with Conoco, Gene received many awards, including the American Petroleum Institute’s Meritorious Safety Award In Recognition of Emergency Aid. Gene received this prestigious award in 1975 when he observed a helicopter hitting guide wires and crashing to the ground. Gene acted immediately, rescuing the occupants and rendering emergency to them.

After retiring from Conoco, Gene fulfilled his dream of raising cattle. He started “Two by Four Ranch” in Dry Creek, LA. At his ranch, Gene raised Texas Longhorn cattle. He was a member of the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association where he served on the Board of Directors as the Region 6 Director, as well as serving as Chairman of the Board. Gene was also a member of the Ark-La-Tex Texas Longhorn Breeders Association, the Texas Longhorn Breeders Gulf Coast Association, and the Louisiana Cattleman’s Association. He served as the financial secretary for the Knights of Columbus and was a member of the Lions Club, the American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Gene was a parishioner at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in DeRidder, LA and was a member of the first St. Joseph’s Men’s ACTS Retreat in February 2015. He enjoyed hunting, gardening and spending his time outdoors on his ranch.

Gene was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Juranka; his mother, Hazel Pleasant Fuscaldo; and his son, Todd Juranka.

He is survived by his wife, Linda; his daughters, Kay (Irvin) Bang of Lake Charles, Pat (Scott) Primeaux of Cameron, Deborah (Kevin) Dronett of Lake Charles, Krista Dollins of Sikeston, MO and his son, Mark (DD) Juranka of Moss Bluff; his stepchildren, Rosanna Martin, Phil Scimemi, Peter Scimemi and Sam Scimemi; 24 grandchildren, 14 great-children; and his sister Sheila Wooten of Arizona.

Visitation will be at Hixon Funeral Home of Lake Charles on Friday, January 12, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Holy Rosary at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will resume on Saturday, January 13, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Gene’s Funeral Mass will follow at St. Margaret Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. with Msgr. Charles Dubois officiating. Burial will be at Consolata Cemetary in Lake Charles, LA. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.ocm