Gene Lee Kirby

Gene Lee Kirby, age 91, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 17, 2026, in Odessa, Texas. A celebration of Gene’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Odessa, Texas, with Reverend Sam Weddington officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held from 6:00–8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.

Gene was born on July 1, 1934, in Woodward, Oklahoma, to George Logan Kirby and Carolyn Darling. He was raised in Tyler, Texas, where he learned the value of hard work at an early age—beginning work at just 12 years old to help support his family. That work ethic became the foundation of his life and never left him.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife of 67 years, Carolyn Sue Kirby; his sister, Winifred George, and her husband Lloyd; his brother, George Kirby; his grandson, Quentin Seeberger; and many treasured lifelong friends.

In his later years, Gene was blessed to find love again and married Darlene Culp on May 11, 2023. She became not only his wife, but his best friend and faithful companion. He is survived by his wife Darlene; his daughters, Cheryl Caveny of Duncan, Oklahoma, and Karen Bell and her husband Roger of Odessa; his grandchildren Richard Seeberger and his wife Jennifer, Ashlea Bullard and her husband Ryan, Kendra House and her husband Tanner, Andrew Bell and his wife Janelle, and Angel Colbry and her husband Ben; his great-grandchildren Dillen Seeberger and Mila, Jackson Seeberger, Jadyn Shilling, Jentry Seeberger, Dawson, Parker, and Madi Bullard, Levi, Miya, Audie, and Shepherd House, Jaxton, Slaton, and Beckham Bell, and Tiffany and Shiloh Colbry; and his great-great-grandchildren Stetsyn and Sterling Seeberger. He is also survived by his niece Susan Richardson; nephews Sherman and Sam George; and the many employees of Bulldog Specialties in Odessa, Texas, and Hobbs, New Mexico, whom he loved and considered family.

Gene was a man of deep faith and a devoted member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, where he served faithfully in many capacities over the years.

After graduating from Tyler High School and briefly attending Tyler Junior College, Gene began his lifelong career in the oilfield with Sun Oil. He later worked for Dayco as a regional salesman claiming he traveled “a million miles” across Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. He built relationships everywhere he went and was known as a fierce competitor with a kind heart—a true “bulldog” salesman who never forgot a name or a handshake.

In 1980, Gene fulfilled a lifelong dream when he and his daughter Karen and son-in-law Roger founded Bulldog Specialties Ltd. What began as a business grew into a legacy. Gene’s favorite saying was, “We had a pretty good month, but we can do better,” a phrase that perfectly captured his drive, humility, and belief in continual improvement. Gene never retired, he simply kept showing up, leading by example, and encouraging others to be their best.

On April 23, 2025, Gene Kirby and Bulldog Specialties were inducted into the Odessa Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame. True to form, Gene was humbled by the honor and asked, “Why me?” The answer was simple to all who knew him: Gene was an old-school businessman who believed in honesty, hard work, and treating people right. He was a mentor, a leader, and a friend to many.

Above all else, Gene was a loving husband, dad, grandpa, GG, Uncle Gene, and friend. True to his name, he was incredibly GENErous—with his time, his wisdom, and his heart. He never met a stranger and made everyone feel seen and valued. He will be deeply missed, but his legacy lives on through his family, his faith, and the business he built—always striving to be better.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Memorials may be made to American Legion Post #430, Westminster Presbyterian Church, or Meals on Wheels of Odessa.