Gene Ray Schade, 78, of Corpus Christi, Texas, passed away on August 4, 2018. He was born November 17, 1939, in Taylor, Texas, to the late Emil and Lillie Schade and was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Margaret Derreline "Dee" Schade. He is survived by a daughter Jackie (Kurt) Wanke and a son Terry (Stefany) Schade, grandchildren Alexis Wanke, Courtney Wanke, and Westley Schade.

Gene will be remembered as hardworking, honest, and humble; traits he learned while growing up on a farm in Taylor, TX. A place where he also learned to fix just about anything. Gene was an Army Veteran, attended the University of Texas, and graduated from the SMU School of Banking.

He moved to Corpus Christi in 1965 and spent most of his career in the private banking industry, serving as President and CEO of several local banks before joining the U.S. Department of the Treasury and retiring from the Office of the Comptroller of Currency. Gene and Dee founded Casa de Oro Jewelers in 1979, incorporating in 1982.

Although retired, Gene continued to share his vast business and jewelry knowledge. He loved spending time with his grandkids, talking politics, and being active in the local Gulf Coast Gem & Mineral Society. A memorial service will be held at 11:00am, Saturday, August 11, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 808 Louisiana Ave, Corpus Christi, Texas 78404.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Gulf Coast Gem & Mineral Society, PO Box 60781, Corpus Christi, Texas 78466, in memory of Gene.