Gene McBride

Vincent Eugene “Gene” McBride, son of the late Oza and Jesse (Gourley) McBride, was born July 23, 1946, in Grovespring, Missouri, and departed this life June 14, 2026, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, surrounded by his family, at 79 years of age.

Gene grew up in the Competition, Missouri, area and attended Gardner School where he enjoyed playing baseball for the Gardner Groundhogs. He was united in marriage to Shirley Jean Delcour on April 11, 1965, and two children were born to this union: Teresa (who passed as an infant) and Devona. Early in his career, Gene worked for Donald Maggi Construction at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, for three years. He then spent the next 43 years working at Independent Stave Company in Lebanon, Missouri, until his retirement. Gene and Shirley lived the majority of their married life at their home near Jerktail, Missouri.

Gene accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, and he was baptized at Grease Rack. He and Shirley were faithful members of New Home Free Will Baptist Church, for many years, until it’s closing. Since then, they have been faithfully attending Evening Shade Community Church.

Gene’s hobbies included coon hunting, turkey hunting, rabbit hunting, deer hunting, and fishing. He absolutely loved raising and training coon dogs and squirrel dogs. He has trained many champion coon dogs and world champion mountain cur squirrel dogs, and he has had many dogs featured in magazines. Gene had a knack for coming up with some of the most extraordinary names for his dogs including Track, Lula Belle, Mutt, Boy, Yakker, Weasel, and Lucky. He was also so proud of the big tomatoes that he grew in his garden.

Gene never met a stranger, and he enjoyed visiting with anyone. He was even known to pick up a hitchhiker now and then. Every Friday night, Gene and Shirley enjoyed going to Manes Music Makers for their date night. They also loved to play cards together, especially pitch. Gene loved his family dearly and loved spending time with them, especially his only granddaughter, Averie. They had a special bond, and she had the privilege of caring for him over the past few months. Gene was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, and he will be missed by those who knew him and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Oza and Jesse McBride, one daughter, Teresa Jean McBride, and one brother, Paul McBride.

Gene is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Shirley McBride of their home near Hartville, Missouri, one daughter, Devona Breeden and husband, Michael, of Marshfield, Missouri, one granddaughter, Averie Breeden of Marshfield, Missouri, one sister, Kathleen Starnes and husband, Larry, of Lebanon, Missouri, three brothers, Ernie McBride and wife, Glenda, of Conway, Missouri, Jimmy McBride of Grovespring, Missouri, and Don McBride and wife, Debbie, of Morgan, Missouri, and many nephews, nieces, and friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of the funeral home.