Gene Wittenburg, also known as Papa, Papa Gene or Not To Worry, of Cat Spring, Texas passed away October 1, 2021 at the age of 77. He was at home with family. He was born October 22, 1943, in Cat Spring to Homer and Lucille Wittenburg. He went to school in Sealy and graduated in 1962.

On June 17, 1964, Gene married the love of his life, Vivian Lea “Butch” Rogers. They lived in Sealy the first two years and moved to Cat Spring in 1966. They had two beautiful daughters, Leah Kay and Patricia Jean. Gene started his career as a home builder after graduating high school. He started his own business in 1966 and built many homes and barns in the Austin County area.

Gene and Butch enjoyed entertaining customers and friends throughout life. They would play dominoes and other games. Gene enjoyed dove hunting with his friends and business associates. For many years at the opening of dove season, there was a cookout, skeet shooting and hunting. His daughter, Patricia, loved to dove hunt and enjoyed shooting skeet.

Gene grew up on a working farm consisting of cattle, sheep, hogs, and chickens. For many years, they also raised Pug dogs. Gene always loved animals. He raised cattle all of his life and spent his retirement riding on his ATVs at home and at the camp house checking on his cattle. Countless times, he even brought newborn calves in the house during bad weather. When Gene and Butch were first married, they also had horses, which they loved. There have been too many dogs and cats to count. His black lab, Shadow, was at his side, especially the last few weeks.

Gene loved to dance and was a great dancer. In their younger days, Gene and Butch went to monthly polka dances in the area. Gene would dance almost every song. He always had a smile on this face and made people laugh. He loved telling stories and funny jokes. If you knew him, you probably heard a lot of his crazy stories and laughed with him. He like to give people nicknames, some were kind of crazy, but that was the way Gene was. A lot of people knew Gene as, Not To Worry. He started this saying a long time ago and it just stuck with him. He had a picture in his wallet of Pride and Joy. He loved asking people, ‘Would you like to see my Pride and Joy?’ and when he pulled out the picture of the bottles of pride and joy, you couldn’t help but laugh. There is no telling how many times he showed people that picture.

In 1976, the Salt Grass Trail Ride began staying at the Wittenburg Ranch to start their journey to the Houston Livestock Show. Gene was always included even though he never rode a horse. He drove around in his ATV and visited with everyone. He never met a stranger. He saw many people come and go, but also made lifelong friends. On Sundays when they pulled out, Gene was always at the gate to say goodbye. The trail ride was Gene’s favorite time of year and this became an annual tradition for the whole family.

Gene and Butch were blessed with two wonderful sons-in-law, Don Huff and Don Walters. He enjoyed many times with them cooking out, building campfires, hunting, working on the farm and just being together. Spending time at “Camp house No. 2” was also one of Gene’s favorite things to do with his sons-in-law and many friends. He even had a few birthday parties for himself there over the last few years. They also had four wonderful grandchildren, Megan Huff, Kyle Huff, Jonathan Walters and Cole Waters. Gene loved the grandkids and was a great “Papa.” He spent time with them whenever he could. They played dominoes together, hunted, fished, cut down trees, built numerous campfires, shot guns, or whatever else they could get to do just to be outside together. Gene loved the outdoors. If the sun was shining, he was outside. He usually didn’t come in the house until it got dark.

For many years, Gene and Butch played golf, and traveled to different courses in Texas. Patricia also joined them on many golf outings. They gathered with friends for dominoes, other games and maybe Gene drank a little beer. They also loved to gamble and made many trips to Las Vegas and Louisiana with family and friends. Gene loved Roulette and always played #20 and #22, win or lose.

Gene was a very funloving person who was always willing to help someone if needed. He lived a full life, worked hard, and had fun with his family. He was a wonderful husband, dad and grandfather. He loved his family with all his heart. He will be missed by everyone that knew him.

Gene is survived by his wife Butch, children Leah Huff and husband Don, Patricia Walters and husband Don, grandchildren, Megan Huff, Kyle Huff, Jonathan Walters and Cole Walters. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister.

A visitation with the family was held on Tuesday, October 5, 2021, from 2-4 p.m. where a funeral service began at 4 p.m. at Knesek Bros. Hwy 36 Funeral Chapel. Interment immediately followed the service at Cat Spring Cemetery in Cat Spring. In lieu of flowers, you may make a contribution to the Cat Spring Cemetery, c/o Wittenburg Printing, 210 Meyer St., Sealy, TX 77474.

Funeral arrangements under the direction of: Knesek Bros. Funeral Chapel, 768 Fourth St., Sealy, TX 77474, 979-885-3535 www.knesekfuneralhome.com.