Gene Edward Poteet

Gene Edward Poteet, age 92, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 11, 2026, in Amarillo, Texas. His loving family was by his side.

Gene was born on January 4, 1934, in Grandfield, Oklahoma to Lota Woods Poteet and Georgie Dixon Poteet. On July 30, 1958, he married the love of his life Juanita Wells Poteet. They both grew up in Sulphur, Oklahoma and ventured to Hereford, Texas to start their family and a new life together. Their love affair lasted for 66 years until Juanita’s death in 2025. They had many happy years in Hereford, living there for 39 years until moving to Tulsa, Oklahoma.

If one was to look up the definition of “old school work ethic” they would find the name of Gene Poteet. He started washing cars at a Chevrolet dealership in Sulphur at the age of 14. From that point forward Gene never looked back as he became a mechanic and service manager working in GM dealerships in Sulphur, Hereford, and Tulsa. His tenure at GM dealerships lasted for 71 uninterrupted years, reluctantly retiring at age 85. It wasn’t uncommon to see Gene at the shop as early as 4:00 in the morning. The number of cars, trucks, feed trucks and irrigation motors that he fixed were countless. If it was fueled by gasoline or diesel, he fixed it. He loved the car business and the work he did. He was a dedicated and loyal employee and enjoyed helping the many friends and customers he had the opportunity to serve. Up until a week before his passing, he claimed he would still be working if his eyes were better.

Gene and Juanita were members of the Church of the Nazarene in Hereford and enjoyed singing in the choir. In 1997 they moved to Tulsa to be closer to children and grandchildren. They became members of First United Methodist Church and the Carpenters Sunday School class. Both were enthusiastic volunteers at Eugene Fields Elementary School. The Church was always very important in Gene’s life.

Gene was Papa to his grandchildren and was a constant presence in their lives. His greatest joy was being with his sweetheart Juanita; their love for each other was unmatched. Gene enjoyed playing dominoes and a competitive game of Wahoo. It goes without saying that he will be missed.

Gene is survived by a loving family of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Kyla and James McDowell of Amarillo, Texas; Tallee, John, Charlotte and James Simpson of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Torree, Hein, Olivia and Buks van der Merwe of Norman, Oklahoma; Maddee and Lee Graves of Newport, Rhode Island; Laura and Cale McDowell of Dallas, Texas; Larry and Susie Poteet of Sulphur, Oklahoma; Darrell Poteet of Sulphur, Oklahoma and Kate and Ray Bateman of Blanchard, Oklahoma.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Juanita, his parents and his sister Martha Lou.

Services will be held in Oklahoma.

In remembrance of Gene’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made in his name to Park Central – The Sycamore, 1511 S. Van Buren Street Amarillo, Texas 79101.