Eugene "Gene" Everett BRINTNALL

Enid News and Eagle Enid, Garfield Co., OK

01-01-2013

Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

Celebration of life for Eugene “Gene” Everett Brintnall, 84, of Enid, will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, at Central Christian Church, Enid. Senior and Associate Pastors John McLemore and Don Johnson will officiate at the service. The Last Alarm Ceremony will be conducted by the Enid Fire Department. Burial will be after the service in Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Brown-Cummings Funeral Home. Gene was born in Chester, Okla., on May 8, 1928, to Byron Otis Brintnall and Jessie Florence (Gingrich) Brintnall. He was the oldest of five children. He died Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, at Greenbrier Nursing Home after a short illness.

Gene grew up in Chester and graduated from Seiling High School in 1946. Gene moved to Enid, Okla., in 1948, where he worked and began his family. Gene was a firefighter for the Enid Fire Department for 21 years. He retired with the rank of captain in 1972. After retiring from the Enid Fire Department, Gene worked as an electrician for the Enid Public Schools (EPS). Gene was honored by the Oklahoma State Department of Education as a finalist and eventual runner-up for the Outstanding School Maintenance Worker in Oklahoma in 1993. The award was a timely honor, as Gene retired after 21 years of service to the Enid Public School System as well in 1993. Gene enjoyed seeing the kids while working for the school system and was “surprised how fast kindergartners working on the computer catch on.”

Gene married Gene “Genie” Tingler in Enid at University Place Christian Church on Feb. 5, 1950. They were happily married for 58 years. Gene and Genie were blessed with three children, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Their children are Doug Brintnall and wife Julia of Enid, Phyllis Keahey and husband Larry of Olympia, Wash., and Shirley Gulick and husband Steven of Stillwater, Okla. Grandchildren are Chris Brintnall and wife Lisa of Carrolton, Texas, Roxanne Merchant and husband Brian of Owasso, Okla., Wendy Rvdrvch and husband Jared of Seattle, Wash., and Jessi Gulick and husband Zac of Stillwater, Okla. Great-grandchildren are Curtis Rydrych and Sasha of Seattle, Wash., Scott Brintnall and Evan of Carrolton, Texas, and Cora Merchant of Owasso, Okla. He has two living siblings, a brother, Dean Brintnall and wife Charlene of Kiowa, Kan., and a sister, Bessie Holmes of Enid. Gene has a living sister-in-law, Alvina Brintnall of Bethany, Okla.

Gene had several interests he enjoyed and made a part of his life. He was a volunteer at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, where he drove the “Saint-Mobile.” He was an active member of Enid Hand Radio Club, was a member of the Oklahoma Retired Fire Fighters Association, and was so proud to be an usher at Central Christian Church. Gene and wife Genie were “very active” square dancers and camping enthusiasts. They were either dancing or camping most every weekend throughout their lives together. They were members of Levi and Lace Square Dance Club. They both served as local, district and state officers during their “dancing” days. They were also members of Thunderbird Camping Club and members of Masonic Lodge 80.

Gene will be remembered as a quiet, kind and gentle person who had an “ornery streak” and could joke and tease with the best of them. Gene was the consummate family man who cherished spending time with his family, no matter the age. He enjoyed family reunions and family get-togethers wherever and whenever. Gene was preceded in death by his wife, parents, two brothers and a great-grandson.