Gene E. McDaniel died peacefully in his sleep on February 1, 2017. Gene was born and raised in Lathrop, Missouri. After high school graduation he joined the U.S. Army, was sent to Goodfellow Field in San Angelo, Texas, and eventually ended up in the remote central Pacific outpost of the Gilbert Islands as a radar operations specialist in support of an assault on the Marianas.After discharge from the Army, he returned to Houston, Texas before enrolling in the University of Texas at Austin to study hard rock geology. At UT he met the love of his life, Bobie Jean Gibbins from Midland. They were married in the First Presbyterian Church Midland in late January of 1949. They had been married 64 years when she passed away in October of 2013.Gene and Bobie Jean came back to Midland to go to work for his father-in-law, J.P. “Bum” Gibbins in March of 1951. They had four children, Pat, David, Mary Jean, and Bonnie. In 1962, Gene and Bobie Jean purchased Basin Supply, Inc. a hardware, housewares, sporting goods, and gift store located on the corner of Andrews Highway and Dodson Street. In 1968, they pursued another venture and opened A La Carte Gifts, which was next door to Basin Supply. It was the first store of its kind in West Texas featuring gourmet gifts, kitchen ware and included a wine and cheese shop. Gene always had a cake or bread baking back in his full working kitchen. There were many Midland brides whose kitchens were equipped with the finest in “pots and pans”, as he called them. He later became a manufacturer’s representative for several national firms, traveling the western half of Texas and most of New Mexico. In 1995, Gene and Bobie retired to Possum Kingdom Lake until health issues brought them back to Midland to live out their lives.Gene and Bobie Jean truly enjoyed their many friends, neighbors and customers over their many years together in Midland. Gene was a low handicap golfer with a “Ben Hogan” golf swing, and with Bobie Jean and their traveling caravan group made many weeklong golfing trips to Arizona at resorts where they hosted the “hospitality suite”. Gene was one of the founders of the Midland C.C. “Wildscatter: and the Ranchland Hills C.C. “Stampede” tournaments. He was the Tournament Chairman of the LPGA tournaments that came to Midland in the mid 1960’s. He served on the Midland City Council from 1967 through 1969. They were longtime members of First Presbyterian Church.In his later years Gene and Bobie had re-connected with his McDaniel cousins at their annual family reunions in Missouri and always treasured their frequent phone calls. Family was a high priority with them both.Gene is survived by his four children, J.P. “Pat” McDaniel and wife Martha Ann of Midland, David McDaniel of San Antonio, Mary Jean McDaniel of Weatherford, and Bonnie Cerrito of San Antonio. He is also survived by grandsons, Brian and wife, Allison McDaniel, John Paul McDaniel, Cole Johnson, and Jeff Webb, and great-granddaughters, Reagan, Lillie, and Katherine Webb.The entire family wishes to express their sincere thanks and admiration for “Pop’s” loyal and devoted caregiver, Ema Saucedo. His last years were made enjoyable and fulfilling while in her care. Thanks also to Melissa Stirman for her loving care also. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Nita Stewart Haley Memorial Library, 1805 W. Indiana, Midland, TX 79701, or a favored personal charity.Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, February 6, 2017 at the historic Fairview Cemetery in Midland, with the ministers Mary Beth Anton officiating and Sr. Pastor Steve Schorr of First Presbyterian Church assisting.,
