Gene Mudd
May 22, 1936 ~ November 21, 2020
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Gene Mudd, 84, passed away Saturday, November 21, 2020. Viewing is available after 2 p.m., Friday, December 11 and all day Saturday, December 12. The family will be present Saturday, 4:00-6:00 p.m. A Private Family Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, December 13, all at Downing & Lahey Mortuary West. The service will be live-streamed for the public at www.dlwichita.com. Burial will be in Bazine, Kansas. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in May. Gene worked 30 years for the City of Wichita Park and Recreation and was General Recreation Supervisor in charge of Recreation Centers. In his younger years he was a basketball official, and after retirement he became a sports official assigner. Gene was a 50+ year volunteer for Special Olympics and currently coached for the Wichita Independents Special Olympics. He loved WSU Basketball and was a season ticket holder for over 50 years. Gene was an avid fisherman and his favorite spot was Roaring River, Missouri. He never missed a year fishing there from 1963 to 2017. He enjoyed teaching his sons and grandchildren to fish and later watching his great-grandchildren. Gene was always helping someone and took in several people to help them out even allowing many to stay in his basement until they got their lives back together. He was loved by many. Preceded in death by parents, Ray and Frankie Mudd; sisters, Anna Mann and Geri Tribune. Survivors: wife, Kimberly; sons, Gene Mudd, Jr. of Wellington, Glenn (Lisa) Mudd of Garnett, Greg Mudd of Wichita; foster sons, Anthony (Leticia) Irving and Ron Jones all of Wichita; 10 grandkids and 16 great-grandkids; in-laws, Clarence and Ethel Foos of Bazine; brothers-in-law, Allen (Clara Mackey) Foos of Wichita and Curtis Foos of Ness City; sisters-in-law, Debbie Foos of Ness City, Sheila and Tim Rehder of Lenexa; 4 nephews; 1 niece, and 1 great-nephew. A memorial has been established with Gene Mudd Memorial, c/o Wichita Independents Special Olympics, P.O. Box 48284, Wichita, KS 67201.
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Sending you prayers and condolences. Tanya Foxx
I haven’t seen Gene for many years, and now, sadly, I see him here. I met Gene in the late 1950’s when he was a Recreation Supervisor at the Hilltop Recreation Center. He also coached our Hilltop baseball team the summer of 1959. I worked with Gene 1961/62 when I was a Park Board Recreation Supervisor at Osage Park where Gene was co-director. Gene was a good, good guy and a hoot to be around. Too many stories for here. Godspeed Gene, and thank you for sharing a part of your life with us, and the wonderful and unforgettable memories of my youth, and beyond.
Gene made a huge impact on many lives. We are sorry for your loss. We pray for your comfort and peace. Brian Fettke and Angie Thomas
It’s hard to put into words what Gene’s life meant not only to the people that worked with him and for him, but also to the citizens of Wichita. Gene had the rare ability to motivate and work with children, but also the ability to work with people in many other areas. He didn’t know what the words “can’t do” meant. Many times at Osage Park in the 60s we would have to ask Gene to stop promoting because the building couldn’t handle any more. For example, the first Easter Egg Hunt at Osage Park,Gene got enthusiastically involved in promotion and, if memory serves me right—it was estimated we would have 200–250 kids, and that was a good number. We had 3 or 4 staff to handle it. The day arrived and 5,000 kids showed up. That was unheard of and has never been done since, and miracle of miracles, it was a huge success. This was typical of Gene’s enthusiasm and ability to reach out and motivate children. Rest In Peace, Big Boy!
Mr. Abernathy, I had never heard this amazing story… It brought a HUGE smile and many happy tears to my eyes. WOW!!!! Dad was blessed to work with and for you all.those years. He truly valued you as a person, boss, and friend. Thank you for sharing this great story!!!
So sorry for your loss. I remember Gene from Osage Recreation Park from the middle 60’s. He certainly knew how to handle all the children from the neighborhood. It took a special person to be able to do that.
I loved his smile and the way he always said hi to my Stephen. So many memories, supper at Quincy’s, watching him coach the many different Special Olympics teams his patience with us all. He will be sorely missed. Rest in peace Gene you are home