Royce Gene Autry, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away Friday, March 28, 2025, at the age of 90.

A graveside service was conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 3 at the Friendship Cemetery in Boyd.

Gene was born Aug. 21, 1934, in Fort Worth to Carl C. Autry and Leona Capps Autry. He spent his early childhood on Millet Street in Poly (Polytechnic) and then moved to Boyd where his family built a house on farmland. He graduated from Boyd High School and then went to work for John Manville in Fort Worth. Gene went to night school at TCU and earned his business degree. Then he started a career at Bell Helicopter as a contract administrator and retired after 42 years.

Gene married Peggy Allen in 1975 and they bought a farm together in Springtown. They raised, trained and showed Palomino quarter horses for over 20 years. They retired to a ranch in Jack County to raise Limousin and Angus cattle.

Gene was a devout Christian and Baptist, he taught Sunday School for decades. He loved his family and learning about family history and genealogy.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Leona Autry; brothers Carl Autry Jr., Truman Autry, Ronnie Autry and Donnie Autry; and sister Vera Lou Evans.

Gene is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Peggy Autry; daughters Kristi McWright and husband Jason, Shonda Hargrove and husband Casey and Lori Hughes and husband Larry; son, Royce Gene Autry Jr. and wife Demilla; and their mother, Lou Autry. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and numerous greatgrandchildren, nieces and nephews.

The Springtown Epigraph, Thursday April 10, 2025