Gene Auldridge

Gene Auldridge, age 77, died November 28, 2007, in Electra.

Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 1, 2007, at Aulds Funeral Home of Electra with Rev. Charles Nichols, pastor of Southside Baptist Church of Wichita Falls, and Rev. Bob Lee, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Electra, officiating. Interment followed in Electra Memorial Park underthe direction of Aulds Funeral Home of Electra.

Gene was born August 17, 1930, in Shamrock to James Gilbert Auldridge and Edna Mable VanHuss Auldridge. He graduated in 1951 from Clarendon High School. He and Sandra Trout were married July 26, 1956, in Clovis, N.M. She preceded him in death on February 21, 1991. Gene was a ranch hand at several ranches in the Panhandle. He also worked for the 6666 Ranch in Guthrie, Texas, and the Burnett Ranch in Iowa Park. When he left the ranches, he became employed by Texas Department of Transportation where he retired as a sign man in 1991.

While in Clarendon, Gene formed the Caprock Valley Boys & Girls Band; and after moving to Electra, he re-organized the band. They played for theSenior Citizens at several places including Rolling Meadows, Merrill Gardens, Texhoma Christian Care Center, and the Royal Estates. He was the host for the Grandfield Jamboree and the Electra Senior CitizensOpry. Gene was a member of the Electra Riding Club and had been an announcer for several area rodeos. He was a Volunteer Ombudsman and delivered Meals on Wheels. Gene was a member of the Riverside Baptist Church. His favorite pastime was fishing, hunting, traveling and spending time with his family.

Survivors include one son, James Auldridge and wife, Jennifer of Iowa Park; one sister, Mary Lee Malone of Marshville, Mo.; his companion, Frances Arnold of Electra; her two sons, Albert Arnold and wife, Regina, and Robert Arnold, all of Electra; her two daughters, Dorothy Pearcy and husband, David of Bastrop, and Debbie Halencak and husband, Randy of Electra; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials to the Electra Senior Citizen Center, 503 West Michigan Avenue, Electra, Texas 76360.