Gene Shields

Gene Shields (Harold Gene Shields), 78, of Waco passed away late Sunday night at home. Funeral Services will be 10AM Thursday May 31, 2012 at St. Louis Catholic Church with Monsignor Mark Deering officiating and Deacon Greg George assisting. Visitation will be 6 to 8PM Wednesday May 30, 2012 at Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel.

Gene was born on May 14, 1934 in Jacksboro, Texas, to Fred and Edna Shields.

He was preceded in death by his two parents. Gene is survived by his wife Nita of 49 years and their four sons; Hal and his wife Lorena, Steve and his wife Kenda, Mike and his wife Maria, Mark and his wife Michelle, and daughter-in-law Dee Dieterich-Shields; and a sister Janie and her husband Bill Morrison; ten grandchildren, Sierra, Colton, Sara, Stephen, Emma, Hayden, Travis, Halle, Parker, and Zane; numerous nieces and nephews, very close friend John Bolfing and wife Gailey, and many lifelong friends.

Gene overcame polio at a young age and graduated from TCU, where he was on the golf team. He went on to a brief career on the PGA Tour, including playing in the 1963 PGA Championship. He became a club professional that led him to be the head golf professional at Preston Trail Golf Club for eight years (1968-1976), the home of the PGA Byron Nelson Golf Classic during those years.
In 1976, Gene moved his family to Waco, where he was the head golf professional at Ridgewood Country Club. He also became the Baylor men’s golf coach in 1978 until 1996, where he led the team to several NCAA regional tournaments, coached numerous all-conference players, and was named Southwest Conference Coach of the Year in 1994.

After retiring from Baylor and Ridgewood, Gene became the Midway High School golf coach for eight years, where he influenced many young student-athletes.
Gene positively influenced many lives through his years as a golf professional, including his work with junior golfers here in Waco and his volunteering with the Starburst Tournament, the Friends for Life Organization, and the March of Dimes.

Gene will be remembered for his sense of humor, his competiveness, his friendliness, and his love for his wife, sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Diabetes Association or a charity of your choice.

Funeral Service

10AM ,Thursday, May 31, 2012
St. Louis Catholic Church
2001 N. 25th Street Waco, Tx 76708

Visitation

6 - 8PM ,Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel
8220 Woodway Drive Waco, TX 76712