Gene Lyles

Gene Lyles, 86, of Brady, Texas, passed away Wednesday, October 9, 2013, in Brady. Visitation will be held from 6 - 8 p.m., Friday, October 11, 2013, at Heritage Funeral Home in Brady. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, October 12, 2013, at Southside Church of Christ in Brady with burial to follow at Rest Haven Cemetery. Gene was born Feb 14, 1927 in Decatur, Tx and grew up on a farm in Justin, Tx. He started driving a tractor at the young age of 12. In October, 1941 he obeyed the gospel and became a Christian. He was inducted into the military at the age of 18. When he returned home from Korea, he enrolled in radio & TV school and after graduation was employed by Consolidated Aircraft. In the spring of 1948, he went to the bus stop on his way home for the weekend. There he met the most beautiful girl he had ever seen... so when he got on the bus he sat down next to her. A few short weeks later they had their first date. On January 1, 1949, Gene wed Melva Jean Walling in Ft Worth, Tx. He built their first home, which is still there to this day, on Bonnie Brae St in Ft Worth. Shortly after, he decided to become a minister and was asked to move to New Jersey to work with the church there. While living in New Jersey they decided to adopt 4 children and raise them as their own. They moved several times during their marriage always to encourage another congregation to grow in the Lord. They had a wonderful 63 yrs together. She preceded him in death November, 2008 but left him with the happiest memories one could possibly have. He is also preceded in death by their son, Douglas Lyles, who passed away in October, 2007. Their last move was to Brady in 1969 where he has been the minister of the Southside Church of Christ up to the time of his death. He "preached" his last sermon just a few weeks ago from his chair until he ran out of breath and had to cut it short. Gene is survived by: three daughters; Nicolie (Nicki) Lyles, and fiancé Rex Linder, of San Marcos, Tx; Donna Adams and Charles Walton of Rochelle; Chodya Squiers, and husband Kim, of Appleby, Tx; one daughter-in-law; Denise Lyles of Clyde, Tx; seven grandchildren; Scott Squiers, and wife Monica; Joe Squiers, and wife Lori, all of Franklin, Tx; Chance Squiers, and wife Valerie, of Midland, Tx; Ryan Adams and Brandon Adams, both of Brady; Christy Elliott and Bryan Lyles, both of Clyde; ten great-grandchildren; two sisters; Ruth Faught of Argyle, Tx and Daisy Woodward of Ft. Worth; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gene Lyles

February 14, 1927 - October 9, 2013