Carrol “Gene” Eugene Waddell arrived at the greatest family reunion on Monday, June 29th, 2020.He was unique from the very beginning, coming into the world on Leap Day, 1940 in Star, Texas. He moved to Midland as a child and attended Midland High School, marrying his high school sweetheart, Edna Mae McBride in March 1958.Gene’s light shined brightly in all that he did – he loved God, his family, and his neighbors not just in word, but with his actions. He was a loving husband, the very best Dad, and an amazing Paw-Paw. His greatest joys were coaching his kids on the field and cheering on his grandkids, whether it was a recital, a game, or an ordinary Tuesday – he was truly his kids’ and grandkids’ biggest fan. He was a constant source of strength, encouragement, and laughter, never ceasing to provide a little levity to every situation. To know Gene Waddell was to love him, his boisterous personality was one of his most endearing traits, commanding attention wherever he was and usually garnering an exasperated “Gene…!” from his wife. Gene was the glue of the family, both immediate and extended – he was a staple at all family reunions and was always the life of the party. Whether it was singing “Grandma got run over by a reindeer” as he walked in on Christmas Eve, yelling at you to “Unhook the trailer!” as you rounded 2nd base or any one of the countless other “Paw-Paw-isms”, you never had to wonder if he was there – he always made is presence known. This was especially evident at Midland High and Midland College basketball games, hollering at every referee, whom he dubbed “Harvey”, to kindly notify them of how they could improve, sometimes even while sporting his own “zebra” shirt in the stands.Gene is preceded in death by his wife, Edna Waddell, his mother and father, Clifford and Ola Mae (Gummelt) Waddell, his brother, Darwin, and sister Billie.He is survived by his children, Cheryl Rockwell and husband Mark, Clint Waddell and wife Keri, and daughter Carol Waddell Rivas; 6 grandchildren: Cristin “Punkin” Coulter and husband Turney, Kendra “Kenny” Lange and husband Taylor, Clayton “Spud” Waddell and wife Samantha, Jason “Newt” Rockwell, Jordan “Puddin’” Rivas and Reagan “Peanut“ Rivas; along with his 5 great-grandsons: Christopher Rockwell, Tucker, Tanner (Gene’s carbon-copy in both looks and personality), and Tripp Lange, Cason Waddell, and 3 great-granddaughters: Hallee and Harper Coulter, and McKenna Waddell, as well as his sister, Cindy Thomas and nieces.The family requests that memorials be sent to Midland Children’s Rehabilitation Center.,
