Dates
Murry Eugene “Gene” Oleson, of San Angelo, passed away on July 15, 2025 at the age of 90. He was born November 9, 1934 in Hobbs, New Mexico to Rufus Murry Oleson and Eula Faye Hines.
As a youth, Gene worked on farms and attended various schools in Blanton, Covington, Blum, Oscelo, and Menard, Texas. He completed high school in San Angelo at Lakeview where he played football his senior year.
After graduation, Gene took a job in Odessa with Furr Food Grocery. On August 23, 1954, he married Sharon Rose Graham in Villa Acunia, Mexico and they made their home in Odessa and later in Snyder where their first daughter was born.
On February 20, 1957 Gene entered the Army. He trained at Fort Bliss and then served at Ladd Air Force Base, where his second child, a son, was born. Gene served next at Fort Lewis, Washington. He reenlisted there and was sent to Fort Gordon, Georgia for field radio repair school. He served at Fort Ord, California and again at Fort Lewis, Washington before being sent to Korea.
Gene was reassigned to the Washington DC area as NCOIC of MDW Audio and Recording section. He was responsible for setting up sound systems for Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Hoover and for the Kennedy funeral. His second daughter was born there.
Gene served two tours in Vietnam separated by training in Fort Mommouth, New Jersey and followed by additional training there. He retired after a final 30 months assignment in Germany.
Gene was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Commendation Medal with first Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal Clasp, Bronze 5 Loops, Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Silver Service Star and with 1 Bronze Service Star.
Back in San Angelo Gene's advanced training in radio, microwave, and satellite systems prepared him for a second career with General Telephone where he rose in the ranks over the next twenty years. During part of his time with GTE he worked in Oklahoma where his fourth child, a daughter, was born.
Gene tried a third career by owning an auto parts store in Snyder for about three years. He finally settled on his final career of buying, remodeling and renting homes in San Angelo.
In 2007, Gene lost his wife, Sharon of 53 years to cancer. After several years, Gene met and married Sheila Head. They worked together on the rental homes, played 42 with friends, and square danced far and wide.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Sharon, and his daughter, Angie Baker.
Gene is survived by his wife, Sheila, his son, Murry Wayne “Bo” Oleson and wife Susan, daughters Donna Faye Hudson and husband Lawrence “Lon”, and Kara Hilmes and husband Christopher Ryan. Gene is also survived by son-in-law Kenneth Baker, grandchildren Josh, Cameron, and Kenny Baker, Matthew and Steven Hudson, Morgan (Hudson) Roden and husband Tyler and Tristan Hilmes. Gene is survived by a great-grandson Hudson “Huddy” James Roden. He is also survived by stepdaughters Shelley Barnes and Amanda Lee.
Visitation will be held at Harper Funeral Home, San Angelo, on Monday, July 21st from 5:00-7:00pm. Funeral service will be Tuesday, July 22nd at 2:00pm at Harper Funeral Home followed by a military graveside service at Fairmont Cemetery, San Angelo.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to or to Meals for the Elderly or Operation Homefront.