Eugene John Kajs, 87, of Wichita Falls, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 7, 2023, surrounded by his family.

A Rosary will be at 6:00 pm on Friday, December 15th at Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home, followed by a visitation. Funeral services will be at 10:00 am, on Saturday, December 16th at Our Lady Queen of Peace, officiated by Father Joseph Moreno. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery under the direction of Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home.

A son of the late Bertha (Havelka) and Antone J. Kajs, Eugene was born on August 29, 1936, in Harrold, Texas. Eugene attended school in Riverside and Thalia grade schools, graduated from Crowell High School in 1954, and attended two years of college.

He served in the United States Army from 1959-1965 as USAR-CDE with a discharge rank of SP-5.

His professional career included farming, ranching, working at General Dynamics and then National Cash Register in Wichita Falls. Gene married Winifred Joerns in 1958 and they had six wonderful children. He worked for NCR for 36.5 years before retiring. Gene was an avid bowler, competing in a bowling league with friends for many years. He even once achieved a "Perfect Game".

Gene came out of retirement and worked at Sacred Heart Cemetery on a short-term basis because they needed help, but what was to last a few weeks turned into 13 years.

He would often say "I don't work when it is too hot, too cold, raining or if the coffee pot was broken." His life work included generous volunteering for Our Lady Queen of Peace, Notre Dame Catholic Schools, and the Fountain Park Swimming Pool to name a few. He could be found in his garage on Barrywood Drive, at the Kajs Kastle, working on and fixing anything and everything.

His favorite job was being the best Papa to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Whether it was teaching them to fix something, taking rides in the Jalopy or driving his homemade go cart, it was time well spent with Papa. They often spoke of the wonderful times at his house, eating Papa crackers, Papa popsicles, and Papa pickles. Papa was proud to attend the many activities and events of his family. He was always there with his sweet smile and words of wisdom.

Along with his parents, Eugene was also preceded in death by sister Emilie Portwood, brother Edward Kajs and son-in-law Pat Maxwell.

He is survived by his daughter Mary Kajs of Euless, TX, son Michael (Leslie) of Wylie, TX, daughters Judy Gavin (Mike) of Arlington, TX, Jane Woodin (Steve) of Norman, OK, Barbara Maxwell (Pat) of Wichita Falls, TX, and Beverly Gilbreath (Jerry) of Glen Rose, TX; grandchildren Allison Weinberg (Brian) of Alexandra, VA, Adam Kajs of Dallas, TX, Cadin Kajs of Wylie, TX, Drew Gavin (Stephanie) of Ft Worth, TX, Mandi Bryant (Brad) of Ft Worth, TX, Taylor Lyon (Kade) of Moore, OK, Ashley Woodin of Norman, OK, Madi Maxwell of Harrogate, TN, Mallory Maxwell of College Station, TX, Garrett Gilbreath of Arlington, TX, Jake Gilbreath of Glen Rose, TX; great-grandchildren Michael, Joseph and George Gavin and Nate, Colt, and Luke Bryant; sisters Evelyn Brown of the Colony, TX and Betty Moore of Hobbs, NM and brothers Antone Kajs of Pfafftown, NC, Johnny (Hazel) of Crowell, TX, Louis (Roselee) of Crowell, TX, Buster (Darlene) of Vernon, TX, Bobby of Vernon, TX; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins; and his sweetheart, Georgeann Blankenbecler of Wichita Falls, TX.

For those desiring, memorial contributions may be sent to: Knights of Columbus, Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, House of Hope, Hospice of Wichita Falls.