William Eugene Brock

July 13, 1940 - September 14, 2021

William Eugene “Gene” Brock was born July 13, 1940 in Wichita, Kansas to Ervin and Annie Brock. He passed peacefully from this life Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at the VA Medical Center in Muskogee, Oklahoma surrounded by his children. Gene was raised in Cedarville, Arkansas where he graduated from high school at the age of 16. He even drove the school bus at the age of 16 when they needed him. He met his first love Emma while in high school, and they married not long after. They remained married for 14 years and had two sons, Richard and Bill. Gene enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17 as a Signalman. He also became a basic training and survival swim instructor at the Great Lakes Base in Chicago, Illinois. He then went on to fight in the Vietnam War for 13 months and received the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V”, The Bronze Star Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and a Good Conduct Medal with 3 stars. He then went abord ship on the USS Prairie and traveled the world while serving his country. He returned to land, where he finished his career as a Naval Recruiter in Muskogee, OK. He spent 21 years serving his country with pride and retired as a Senior Chief. After retirement, in 1977, Gene adopted a baby girl Nicole Suzanne and went back to school. Gene attended the University of Oklahoma and graduated with a degree in Medical Administration. He went on to become the Administrator of Tower Hill Nursing Home. He remained there for 25 years. He loved his staff and patients as if they were his very own family. While at Tower Hill, he met his last and ultimate love Brenda McAnally. They wed on Oct 9, 1981. They had 2 children Gail and Bryan. Gene retired from Tower Hill in 2002. He spent his days loving and caring for Brenda during her illness, until her passing in 2009. Gene was an avid hunter, fisherman, and cook. And he might brag a little about all three!! He loved his family deeply. They were his pride and joy. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Ervin and Annie Brock, sisters, May Hyatt and Marie Newberry, brothers, Walter Brock and Wayne Brock, son, Richard Brock, daughter, Nicole Brock, wife Brenda McAnally Brock, granddaughter Kristen Brock. Left to remember him are his sons, Bill Brock and wife Ranelle of Bandera, TX, Bryan Brock and wife Audrea of Argyle, TX, daughter, Gail Saunders and husband Nick of Fort Gibson, OK. Granddaughters, Michelle Brock, Jessica Reid, Payton Saunders, Kate Saunders, Addilyn Brock, and Kerrigan Brock. Great-grandsons, Camden Brock and Carson Brock, great-granddaughters, Ashlynn Brock and Kyleigh Chu, and numerous other family and friends. Celebration of his life is Monday September 20, at 2:00pm at the Fort Gibson National Cemetery with full military honor. His memorial will be officiated by Coach Jerry Walker. Pallbearers are Bill Brock, Bryan Brock, Nick Saunders, Ranelle Brock, Andrew Mason, and Michael Chewey. A very special thank you Hetherle, Mary, and Jennifer for putting up with his shenanigans, loving and caring for him at home. Thank you to the staff at the VAMC in Muskogee. Your care was phenomenal and his final days were peaceful.