Funeral Service
Lakewood Funeral Chapel
98 N. Dixie Drive
Lake Jackson, TX  77566
Sunday, January 29, 2017
3:30pm
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String Prairie Cemetery
Cameron, TX  76520

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Eugene "Gene" Patzke

of Lake Jackson, TX

May 11, 1950 - January 25, 2017


  • Obituary
  • Guestbook
Eugene Patzke, 66, of Lake Jackson, went to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on January 25, 2017. He died peacefully in his sleep at home. Gene was born on May 11, 1950 near Maysfield, Texas at his grandparent's rural home. The family moved to Freeport when he was two. He attended Brazosport schools; graduating from Brazosport High School in 1968. He attended Blinn College and Texas A&M. He remained a lifelong Aggie, even during the losing seasons. Gene joined the U.S. Air force during 1970 and began his military career. He served in combat in Vietnam and Panama. He was stationed overseas in South Korea, Guam, England and Saudi Arabia along with many other locations. He received many citations and awards. When the Air Force started its own special operation forces he was one of the first to volunteer for and finish U.S. Army Ranger School and other advanced training. He was assigned in Europe with a mobile nuclear cruise missile group and later with a rapid deployment force. He retired from the U.S.A.F. in 1993. Gene then attended Southwest Texas State University. He began his new career with the U.S. Postal service in Somerville, Texas and then transferred to the Lake Jackson office where he retired in 2011. Gene cared for his mother until her death in 2012. He loved to hunt and fish with his family and friends. He enjoyed playing dominoes at the V.F.W. with his buddies. He was a born again Christian and attended the First Baptist Church of Lake Jackson as his health allowed. He is preceded in death by his father Frank Patzke, mother Alma Patzke, and wife Sherrel Patzke. Gene is survived by his brother Jay Patzke and spouse Barbara of Lake Jackson, Texas; nephew Jason Patzke and spouse Amanda of Wills Point, Texas, and niece Katie Patzke of Denton, Texas. He also leaves his favorite pooch and little buddie "Bubba". The family wishes to express their thanks to his many friends for filling his life with activities and love. The family will receive friends 3pm until service time. Funeral services will be 3:30pm Sunday, January 29, 2017 at the Lakewood Funeral Chapel in Lake Jackson. Interment will be 1pm Monday at the String Prairie Cemetery near Cameron, Texas.

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12 Condolence(s)
Bev Bennett
San Antonio, TX
Thursday, April 6, 2017

Dear Jay and Barbara,
I just want too send my love your way. I hope the pain of loss has begun to ease, and that you have many treasured memories to draw on.

God Bless.
Bev

Ruby Cearley Barrett
Belton, TX
Sunday, February 5, 2017

Jay, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I didn't know Eugene very well. I loved your Mother, Alma very much and considered her a very good friend. I'm sorry I didn't know of her passing either. I now live in Belton, Texas. Have been married to George Barrett seven years. God bless your family.

Meryl
Durham, NC
Sunday, January 29, 2017

What a handsome man, Mr. Patzke was. Please allow me to offer my condolences to his family with these healing words: Jesus said: ''I am the resurrection and the life. The one who exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life.'' (John 11:25) On one occasion, When Martha caught sight of her Master, she put into words the thought that had been tormenting her and Mary for days: ''Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.'' Still, hope and faith were not dead in Martha. She added: ''Yet even now I know that whatever you ask God for, God will give you.'' Jesus immediately said something to strengthen her hope: ''Your brother will rise.'' - John 11:21-23; Acts 24:15; 2 Peter 3:13. Yes, the resurrection hope is a real source of comfort to those who have lost loved ones. It can be to you too! I am very sorry for your loss. May God's Word comfort you and your family. Sincerely, Meryl, jw.org

Bruce Cortalano
Garrison, NY
Sunday, January 29, 2017

Rest In Peace it was an honor to have served with you

Richard Bejarano
Sacramento, CA
Sunday, January 29, 2017

I only knew you for a short time Gene, but you were an inspiration and a great leader. RIP GLCM brother.

David & Lisa Goldstein
Little Rock, AR
Sunday, January 29, 2017

Family and Friends of Gene, you have our deepest sympathies. Gene will be missed by so many of us that served with him, our peace is knowing he is with the Lord and we shall see him again.

Patty Caldwell(Bristow )
Annex, OR
Saturday, January 28, 2017

My dearest friend ... we met when I was seventeen , many years went by .. and we found one another again .. I so enjoyed our visits .. you will always have my heart ... and you will be forever in mine .. sleep softly Gene ... I love you ...

Peggy MIltenberger
Lake Jackson, TX
Saturday, January 28, 2017

Jay, I am so sad to read of Gene's passing. He and your mother lived only a few streets away from our residence. Your dad and mother were close friend of ours many years ago, when my husband (Bobby) and your dad worked for Ethyl-Dow. After your dad's passing your mother moved here to Lake Jackson, while we remained in Oyster Creek. After retirement we moved to Georgetown for a few years, then back to this area. Over the years both of our families have gone in different directions, as life is continuously making changes in our life. Jay, please feel free to stop by our home at any time for a visit. I thought a great deal of your family and I pray for you, your wife and adult children. God Bless.

David and Debbie Perkins
Paw Paw, MI
Saturday, January 28, 2017

We met Gene while I was stationed at RAF Greenland common England in 1983. He was a larger than life guy. After becoming engaged to my English wife, we were at the NCO club, Gene in his black cowboy hat, he danced with my fiancee several times. To this day, I believe he was responsible for her obsession with country music. Thanks Gene. We had just reconnected and were trying to arrange a reunion. Gene you will be missed! Rest in peace my brother.

William Rodenmacher
Myrtle Beach, SC
Saturday, January 28, 2017

My prayers to the Patzke family, may he rest in peace!!As Gene continues his journey, always take pride in the fact, that, although your family has lost a Loved one, Heaven has just gained one heck of a "Sentinel" !!Fly high my friend and watch over us all!

Victoria Phillips
Florence, TX
Friday, January 27, 2017

I knew Gene when he was stationed in Great Falls Montana. He was a great friend and I will miss him. We reconnected on facebook and I am just so happy to have had him in my life.

Donnie Boyce
Wylie, TX
Friday, January 27, 2017

Rest in Peace Gene. Thank you for your service.
GLCM, RAF Greenham Common UK