Gene Phillip Middleton, 73, of Madison, Miss., passed away Wednesday, Aug. 31 at his home.
Born Feb. 17, 1943, in Crab Orchard, Gene was a son of the late Chad and Maude Middleton. He was a 1961 graduate of Crab Orchard High School and a 1966 graduate of Eastern Kentucky University. He was a school teacher and basketball coach in the Crab Orchard, Garrard County, Mercer County, and Harrodsburg City School systems throughout his career between 1966-1995. Gene enjoyed most of his years in retirement playing golf at the Lake Caroline Golf Community in Madison, Miss. Gene loved, and was loved by his grandchildren, who affectionately called him ‘Bean’. He had a passion for golf and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends on the golf course. His proudest moments were when he shot his age (71) and when he made a hole-in-one on October 18, 2014 while playing a round of golf with his grandson. Discussing sports with his family and friends was also one of his greatest pleasures. His friendship will be missed by many.
He was also preceded in death by a brother, Chad Middleton, Jr.
Survivors include his loving and caring wife of 49 years, Tommye Brackett Middleton; a daughter Alyssa (Jan) Weisberg of Birmingham, Ala.; son, Chad (Rochelle) Middleton of Austin, Texas; two sisters, Lucille Hammons and Elizabeth (Jim) Adams; one brother, Harry (Geraldine) Middleton; one sister-in-law, Carolyn Middleton; four grandchildren, JT and Evan Weisberg, and London and CJ Middleton; niece and nephews; and many other extended family members.
Funeral services are at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10 at McKnight Funeral Home in Crab Orchard. Visitation is prior to funeral services from 9 to 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Fairview Baptist Church in Stanford.
Active pallbearers will be Gene’s lifelong friends, Jim Baird, Steve Clevenger, Charles Johnstone, Jack McCall, Dale Moore and Donald Wooldridge.
Gene also leaves behind many friends in the Lake Caroline Community and a celebration of life is being planned at Lake Caroline Golf Club in Madison, Miss. for a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Mercy House, 2214 West Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77005 or Gentiva Hospice Flowood, 106 Riverview Drive, Flowood, MS 39232. The family wishes to thank the St. Dominic’s Hospital fourth floor nursing and Oncology Staff, and Gentiva Hospice, Flowood, Miss., for all their loving care and support during Gene’s illness. Additionally, the family desires to acknowledge special friends and neighbors, Terrell and Leah Porter and Kelly Ross for their love, care and counsel while Gene was home