Texarkana, TX - Eugene "Gene" Franklin Warnick was a kind and smiling inspiration, man of God, wise teacher, brave soldier, steward of his community, passionate husband, devoted father, beloved "Pap-Pa", delightful uncle and friend to all. In everything, Eugene was absolutely genuine.

On March 27, 2021, he died at home surrounded in love with his children at his side.

He was born April 23, 1923 in Lauratown to George and Leona Warnick, the tenth child of twelve siblings. He was the proud father of his two children, Wilma Lee and Eugene Franklin Jr. For sixty-two years he was happily married to the love of his life Lora Mae who passed away in 2009.

He became a hardened checker player at an early age. Dissatisfied with the risk to benefit ratio of glider infantry, he graduated US Army Parachute School in 1944 joining the 13th Airborne Division in World War 2 and served in the Western Front. Throughout his service he sent countless letters to his sweetheart Lora Mae Martin, whom he married in 1945. His children fondly recall that their summer night lullaby was Cardinals games on the radio. As a faithful Razorback fan, he had his grandchildren "Calling the Hogs" from a very early age. Gene harvested laughter even better than he raised fruits and vegetables, always handy with a joke or a song, a story, a funny face or a jig. He was quick to offer some fresh cornbread to anyone fortunate enough to visit. Fit as a fiddle, he walked miles daily for most of his life. At Herman Baptist Church he taught Sunday School for decades and served as a deacon for over fifty years. He was widely revered as a gentleman, though he would proudly claim himself a bonafide hillbilly. His contagious laughter echoes in everyone who knew him, always.

We will miss him terribly and forever hold him in our hearts.

He is survived by children Wilma Lee Chappel and Eugene Franklin Junior (Gail), grandchildren Chris Flowers (Jennifer), Cody Chappel (Veronica), Aaron Flowers, Summer Floyd (Cory), Jason Warnick (Kyla), Daron Flowers (Brandi), nine great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents George Franklin and Leona Josephine, siblings Archie Lafayette, Pearl Lavern Brooks, Jewel Ray, Bessie Marie, James Roy, twins Lula Faye and Beulah Mae, Emily Agnes Crow, Floyd Leonard, twins Chester Leo and Lester Cleo and son-in-law Gary Max Chappel.

Visitation will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, April 1, 2021 at Herman Baptist Church, followed at 2 p.m. by "Celebration of Eugene's Life Services" with Lonnie Warren officiating. Interment will follow at Herman Cemetery under the direction of Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home.

Honored to serve as pallbearers, Charles Brooks, Paul Greenway, Richard Greenway, Arthur Cox, C. W. Cox and Keith Livesay and as honorary pallbearers, Gary Crow, Virgil Passmore, Maurice Watkins, Robby Cline and the Men of the Senior Adult Class.