Eugene "Gene" Patzke
5/11/1950 - 1/25/2017

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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