Harland Eugene “Gene” Abbott II, of Midland, passed away on January 22, 2016. A Rosary will be held at 7:00 PM, Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Chapel located at 3800 N Big Spring, Midland. Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at St. Stephens Catholic Church located at 4601 Neely Ave., Midland, TX 79707.Gene was born on September 19, 1925 in Mt. Forest, Canada, to Harland Eugene Abbott Sr. and Bernice Moore.Gene was raised in Niagara Falls, NY and, after obtaining a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Oklahoma, as a member of the Naval Construction Builders program, Gene was discharged from the Navy and, soon thereafter, he started a construction business with his father and brother in Midland, Texas. Abbott Building Company has enjoyed over 60 years of successful operation and continues to serve businesses operating in the Texas-New Mexico area today.Gene married the love of his life, Rachel, on April 12, 1950 and devoted the next 65 years of his existence to honoring their union with pure, unconditioned love. Gene and Rachel raised seven children together and Gene made it one of his life’s purposes to involve himself deeply in the lives of his children, thirteen grandchildren and one great grandchild.Gene is known by those whose lives he touched as a congenial, compassionate, considerate, and generous man who pursued his personal and professional interests with an unwavering spirit and boundless energy. He was an active and accomplished sportsman who cherished opportunities to share his love of the outdoors and numerous sports activities with his family and friends. In his professional life, Gene enjoyed considerable success and he astutely managed multiple businesses over many years and through exceedingly variable economic conditions.Gene’s kind-hearted and generous nature was manifested in the depth and breadth of his active participation in the management and operation of numerous civic and charitable organizations and events. He continually gave of himself throughout his life and the legacy of his giving spirit will live on through the gifting of his Midland residence to a local charitable organization.Gene’s physical presence will be missed by all who were fortunate to know him but his indomitable spirit will live forever. Words simply cannot express the deepness of the love and appreciation that his children feel for his absolute devotion to their comfort and happiness.Gene is survived by his wife Rachel; brother, Richard E. (Dick) Abbott; his daughters and their spouses Carol & Gene Shumate, Patty & Tim Hodgens, and Jan & Tom Matchus; his sons and their spouses Jack & Terri Abbott, John & Shailete Abbott, and Mike & Sarah Abbott; his grandchildren Kristina Abbott, Jason Abbott, Mike Shumate, Brad Shumate, Juli Hodgens-Thrall, Jennifer Hodgens, Sean Matchus, Seth Matchus, Sam Matchus, Simon Matchus, Rachel Abbott, Jones Abbott, and Jaxson Abbott; and his great granddaughter Payton Thrall.Gene is preceded in death by his parents Harland and Bernice Abbott, his sisters Barbara McLean, and Dorothy Holmes, and his son Harland Abbott III.The Abbott family wishes to express our gratitude to Mrs. Brenda Nickell for her steadfast dedication to Dad’s comfort and contentment.We kindly ask that, in lieu of flowers, you please make donations to either St. Ann’s Catholic School or Alzheimer’s Foundation of Midland. ,
