Gene Phillip Middleton

1943-2016

Gene Phillip Middleton, 73, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 31 at his home in Madison, Miss. He was born Feb. 17, 1943 in Crab Orchard, Ky to the late Chad and Maude Middleton.

He graduated from Crab Orchard High School in 1961 and from Eastern Kentucky University in 1966. 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 Oct. 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 leaves behind his loving and caring wife of 49 years, Tommye Brackett Middleton; daughter Alyssa and her husband Jan Weisberg of Birmingham, Ala.; son Chad Middleton and his wife Rochelle of Austin, Texas; four grandchildren: JT and Evan Weisberg, and London and CJ Middleton; two sisters, Lucille Hammons and Elizabeth (Jim) Adams; one brother, Harry (Geraldine) Middleton; one sister-in-law, Carolyn Middleton.

He was also loved by his niece and nephews and many other extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Chad and Maude Middleton and hiis brother, Chad Middleton, Jr.

Pallbearers will be Gene’s lifelong friends: Jim Baird, Steve Clevenger, Charles Johnstone, Jack McCall, Dale Moore and Donald Wooldridge.

Services will be held at McKnight Funeral Home in Crab Orchard, Ky. Visitation will be on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 9-11 a.m. Funeral service at 11 a.m. with burial to follow at Fairview Baptist Church in Stanford, Ky.

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, Texas 77005 or Gentiva Hospice Flowood, 106 Riverview Drive, Flowood, Miss. 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.