Gene Arnold Gohlke, 90, of Denton passed away on Sunday, February 8th. He was born on August 13, 1935, to Arnold Herman and Carrie Mae Kusch Gohlke in Washington County, Texas.

At a young age, Gene moved with his family to Denison, Texas. He thoroughly enjoyed his childhood and had very fond memories of growing up in Denison and he continued to visit the area often until his passing. After graduating from Denison High School in 1953, he came to Denton to attend college at North Texas State College, where he received a business degree. It is in Denton where he met the love of his life, Judy Hoover. They met when Gene went to the movie at the Campus Theater where Judy was the box office attendant. They would end up marrying on September 4, 1959, and they recently celebrated 66 years of marriage.

In February of 1956, he went to work for Bert Moore, owner of Moore Building Products. Moore Building Products sold masonry supplies, concrete blocks, and other building products mostly to the building trade. In 1958, Mr. Moore & Gene felt that the time was right to begin building swimming pools. That business is still in operation today. In 1963, Gene & Judy Gohlke purchased the business, expanding the product offerings to include windows and other residential home needs. He renamed the business a few years later to Gene Gohlke Building Products. His business philosophy of “Do what you say you are going to do and always do the right thing” carried the business for another 55 years. Gene sold the business property and retired in 2018 at the age of 83.

In his personal life, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing poker, the Dallas Cowboys, and watching Family Feud (Steve Harvey). But mostly, he enjoyed the friendships that he and Judy had developed over their 70+ years of living in Denton. He truly valued those friendships and it pained him deeply to see his friends pass away.

He was preceded in death by his father, mother, Duane Gohlke (brother), Bobbie Gohlke (sister-in-law), Luther Gohlke (brother), and Pat Gohlke (sister-in-law).

He is survived by his wife, Judy Hoover Gohlke. He is also survived by his daughter Gina and her husband Brian Wicker of Sanger; son Matt and his wife Whitney of Argyle; son Mark and his wife Lisa of Sanger; and his son Luke and his wife Stephanie of Denton. In addition, he leaves behind his grandchildren—Connor Gohlke (Madison), Grant Gohlke (Cali), Lauren Norcross (Kevin), Ella Gohlke, Jordyn Muscat (Connor), Tori Howard (Josh), Cutter Gohlke, and Jake Gohlke. He also leaves behind his great grandchildren—Lizzie Norcross, Ben Norcross, and Cooper Howard.

The family would like to sincerely thank those who provided loving care, especially at the end of his life, including Dr. Scott Simms, Dr. Galen Howard, Dr. Simon Allo, Denton Village (Good Sam), Vivian Bih and EZ Molina of Good Shepherd Hospice, and Teresa Perez, as well as countless others who helped along the way.

Services will be held on Saturday, February 21st, at 10am at First Christian Church with Reverend Kristin Galle officiating. Internment Burial will follow at IOOF Cemetery. The family will be at DeBerry Funeral Home on Friday, February 20th, from 4-6pm.

Pallbearers will be Connor Gohlke, Grant Gohlke, Jordyn Muscat, Connor Muscat, Cutter Gohlke, Jake Gohlke, & Josh Howard.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in memory of Gene Gohlke to First Christian Church, 1203 Fulton Street, Denton, Texas 76201. They have been members of First Christian Church since January 3rd, 1960.