Gene Stroh

Gene was called to the ministry early in life and was a dedicated believer in Jesus Christ and in the very instance of his earthly death he was with the Lord in Heaven. We are souls and we have bodies, and Gene is no longer suffering from illnesses and pain in his earthly body and is right now experiencing unimaginable eternal joy with God.

Gene was born in Cottage Grove, Oregon in 1947 to Calvin Hale Stroh and Blanche (Miller) Stroh. His mother passed away during child birth. His father remarried when Gene was very young and Marian was as much a mother to Gene as anyone could ever be. She taught him gentleness and kindness.

In spite of his illnesses Gene attended Baptist Bible College in Graceville, Florida and received his diploma in 1976. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1978 from William Carey College in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Gene pastored several churches while attending school until he came to Houston First Baptist Church where he served on the staff for eight years.

It was during this time at his work as Properties Manager at First Baptist Church in Houston that he met his wife, Deborah.

From there he was sent out to serve as Pastor of Bethel Baptist Mission. It was here that his exceptional organizational skills were demonstrated. He was able to take this mission from a much neglected, depreciated condition, where the gymnasium was being used as a storage room, to a fully functional ministry. Children numbering 85 from this very needy area were bussed in for Sunday school each Lord’s Day.

A gentle unassuming manner was a frequently used tool to enlist all kinds of unsuspecting volunteers in getting the job done. He just about emptied the storage room of the mother church in order to provide updated Sunday school rooms. Always having a heart for the needy, Gene saw to it that an adequate kitchen was provided for meals for the poverty stricken residents in the neighborhood, and he organized and drove Sunday school buses for the children. He had a unique ability to gather blankets and other needs for the homeless shelter which was adjacent to the mission.

One memorable highlight of his ministry there was arranging the adoption of an unwanted child by a loving couple. Years later her adoptive parents reported that she was a lovely well-adjusted child. Another highlight was when Gene preached a series through the book of Job. Those who heard him realized this was coming from the lips of one who had experienced his own extreme testing.

After these experiences he was asked to minister to a group of retirees at Spring Shadow’s Place in Houston, where he served as pastor for two and a half years, and he was truly loved by the residents

During this time he suffered the loss of his right eye due to complications of diabetes.

In time he felt the calling of the Lord to establish a counseling service through a local church, pastored by his friend from Bible College days. He sought additional training for the task and studied and received his Master of Arts degree Psychology in 1991.

These events led to his employment with the State of Texas working with prison inmates in Livingston and Bryan. He suffered a heart attack and had open heart surgery in 1996. It was especially significant since it occurred shortly before Christmas. Gene continued working but eventually was declared disabled in 2000, as his health and vision were progressively failing.

Around this time Deborah was employed by the State of Texas and served in the same facility in Bryan. When the facility closed; Deborah had an opportunity available for employment in Austin and they were fortunate to be able to move to Pflugerville.

Gene and Deborah joined First Baptist Church of Pflugerville in 2003 and enjoyed meeting new friends and studying the Word from John Carlton’s Sunday school class.

Through his many years of fragile health and suffering, Gene always kept his great sense of humor and always enjoyed joyous banter. He was a solidly dedicated devotee of the Lord and a great prayer warrior, showing deep empathy and care for others.

Deborah feels so blessed for every moment she had with Gene and she will always remember “Gene was the kindest, most gentle person I ever met. He helped me develop as a person through his loving support and kindness. I wouldn’t trade one single minute of our 35 years together!”

Gene is survived by his loving wife of 35 years Deborah Stroh, sons Jeff and Ryan Stroh and grandchildren Jeffrey and Dylan Stroh and other extended family. His sisters are Faye, Cleo, Vonnie (deceased), and his younger brother Rod Stroh.