Gene Williamson

Orville Eugene “Gene” Williamson was born January 7, 1932, on a farm near Goree, Texas, in Knox County. He attended school in Weinert. When he was 12, his family moved to a farm outside of Morton, Teas, in Cochran County. He graduated from Morton High School in 1949. In 1953 he graduated from Texas Tech with a BS in mathematics. In 1956 Gene graduated from Texas Tech with an MS, ME (Education) degree. Later he obtained a degree from Texas Tech in Guidance and Counseling.

In January 1956 he taught a half year in Roswell, New Mexico, before teaching for 40 years in the Lubbock Schools. He taught math, coached, and was boys’ counselor at Hutchinson Junior High; then was boys’ counselor, teacher, and coach at Matthews JH, was coach, boys’ counselor, and assistant principal at Atkins JH, then was principal at Thompson (K through 9) for 10 years - and was at Thompson during the May 11 tornado that wiped out a large portion of the district. He then went to the Central Office where he was Textbook Coordinator and was also in charge of student data, student nurses, absentees, enrollments, transfers, visiting teachers, Project Intercept, transportation, and student services. He was in charge of the staffing and organization of the football games at Lowrey Field for 30 years. He actively supervised many other junior high and high school games and was President of the Volleyball Officials Organization. He was a lifetime member of NEA, TSTA, PTA, and the Secondary Schools Principals’ Association.

Gene was a band booster for the Monterey and Tech bands while his daughter was a member, but also played in the Goin’ Band while he was at Tech. He coached his son’s Little League teams. He was a member of the downtown Kiwanis Club, was on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, was an organizing captain for the United Way, and worked for the Lubbock Parks and Recreation, as well as the Lubbock Boys’ Club. He was a member of Second Baptist, then First Baptist, but spent his retirement years with a passion for Melonie Park Church where he often played the piano, taught classes, and greeted. He and his wife set a Godly example for all the church on how to have a long and happy marriage. He was a member of the BSF Bible study. Gene and Jan also enjoyed their retirement by travelling to all 50 states and stopping at every historical spot that Jan requested.

He is survived by his wife Jan, whom he married in Abilene on June 14, 1957. He is also survived by his daughter and dear son-in-law Gena and Michael Garcia, where he is blessed that Mike’s two children (Michael Esiah and Nicole) and three grandchildren joined the family. He is pre-deceased by his son Ronald David Williamson (who had one daughter, Sarah Gene), his sisters Bess Washburn and Ruthie, his brother John, his parents Vaughn and Gertrude, and Walt and Dorothy (all Williamsons). He is survived by his sister Patsy, his brothers Frank, John, and Tommy, and many nieces and nephews.

He was also blessed by their adopted family Nick and Sandy Sanders, and their amazing 5 sons and daughters-in-law and their children: Josh and Lisa (2 kids), Gabe and Cassie (2 kids), Alex and Kathleen (1 almost here!), Chris and Emma (3 kids), and Jared and Sarah. Gene and Jan were honored to be the grandparents at all 5 weddings.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Melonie Park Church or Lubbock Meals on Wheels.