Gene Maurice Eastman

Gene Maurice Eastman was born January 01, 1926 in Council Grove KS as the only child to Glen and Vena Eastman and passed away peacefully on February 22, 2016 in Conroe TX. Gene served his country in WWII from 1943-1946 as a Corporal in the US Marine Corps, 2nd division, 6th Regt. stationed in the Pacific Theater. While fighting for his country, he also worked alongside with the renowned Navajo code talkers as a telephone lineman. Gene then began working for Cessna while he took classes at the University of Kansas (he loved to watch those Jayhawker basketball games). After graduating from KU, he attended the Chicago Art Institute as an undergraduate. From there he attended the University of Iowa where he graduated in 1958. It was there he met and married his beloved wife Marguerite Coon Eastman. Gene accepted a teaching position at Sam Houston State Teachers College (now Sam Houston State University) in Huntsville TX in 1958 where he served as an honored and respected art professor as well as the Art Department Chairman. He taught many different art classes, from life drawing and art history to watercolor and oil painting to pastel and charcoal drawing. He was a very versatile and talented artist who enjoyed painting abstracts, still lifes, landscapes, and figure drawing, He loved his profession and it showed as he had many gallery and museum exhibits throughout the years. Gene also taught and exhibited his works at the Museum Of Fine Arts in Houston, TX and is listed in the Who's Who of American artists. After 43 years of teaching, Gene retired from SHSU and devoted his time to his many hobbies. In addition to his artistic accomplishments, Gene was also a gifted athlete. Attending race walking camps in Colorado, he became quite adept at the sport and was a certified member of the USA Track & Field Association and competed and won several medals in the Senior Olympics nationwide. He also judged and competed in many statewide competitions. Gene was very proficient in all he did. When he wasn't in his art studio creating, he was having fun with his many hobbies. He was a licensed ham radio operator, worked on his own sports cars, enjoyed photography, developing his own photographs, and was an avid sharpshooter. He even made his own ammunition. He taught himself Spanish and French with books and tapes which he found useful in his travels overseas. Most of all, Gene will be remembered as a kind and gentle man who enjoyed his family and all life had to offer. When taking family vacations, Gene would point out the different colors and hues in nature to his children and how many beautiful tones a simple fallen leaf would have. Always positive, encouraging, and never without a smile on his face, Gene will be forever in our hearts. Gene is preceded in death by his loving wife Marguerite Coon Eastman, and son Greg Eastman. Gene is survived by his three children, Susan Eastman of Taylor, TX; Jennifer Eastman Mathena and husband Eugene Mathena of Conroe, TX; Jonathan Eastman of Houston, TX; granddaughter Meagan Eldridge of Nashville, TN; grandson Corporal Forrest Eldridge of Geneva, Switzerland; sister-in-laws Carol Kornman of Tampa, FL and Joy Brumley of North Liberty, IA. Gene's family would like to give special thanks to Thee Hospice, Elva Graham, Huntsville Home Health Care, and the staff at Conroe Heartis Memory Care Facility. If you would like to make any donations in Gene's honor, please do so at the charity of your choice or your local animal shelter as Gene's grandfather who was a veterinarian, instilled a love and respect for all animals (which shows in his many cat sketches). Another worthwhile charity is the Friends of Art, Department of Art, P.O. Box 289 Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX 77341-2089, (936-294-4311). This will assist students in the art department with much needed art supplies and books. Upon attending the viewing and/or funeral, please wear your favorite color in memory of Gene who so loved color. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM till 8:00 PM on Friday, February 26, 2016 at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville, Texas. A funeral service will held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 27, 2016 in the chapel at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville, Texas. Interment will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at Greenwood Cemetery in Council Grove, Kansas. Full obituary may be viewed and memorial condolences made to the family at www.shmfh.com.

Gene Maurice Eastman

January 1, 1926 - February 22, 2016