Gene Alan Eskue, 76, of Hays, Kansas, passed away peacefully at home on July 18, 2026.
Gene was born March 13, 1950, in Artesia, New Mexico, to John Henry and Nada Laverne Eskue. In his early years, Gene started working at the local grocery store, then moved to the hard labor of the oil fields, and later worked in construction. He eventually founded his own vinyl signs and graphics business, Auto Accents by Gene, which he successfully owned and managed for 50 years. He moved his family to Hays, Kansas, from Colorado Springs, Colorado, in September of 1990. Outside of work, he enjoyed antique cars and riding motorcycles. He also had a love for the outdoors, taking his family on yearly camping trips to the mountains.
Gene married the love of his life, Sharon Sue Hudson, on July 11, 1971. They celebrated 55 years of a beautiful marriage on July 11. He was a man of strong faith and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1968. His faith in God and trust in Bible principles were reflected in the loving way he raised and cared for his family. He also demonstrated full trust in the Bible’s hope of a resurrection by the way he courageously and calmly faced his cancer diagnosis. Gene had a reputation for being a bit ornery, and he was always ready to bring a smile to others with his quick wit.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Laverne Eskue, and his brother, Jerry Eskue.
He is survived by his cherished wife, Sharon; his children, Joshua Eskue and his wife Miranda, Daniel Eskue and his wife Sarah, Tabitha Herman and her husband Travis, and Tacie Eskue; his grandchildren, Jordyn, Isaac, and Shiloh; and his siblings, Johnnie Eskue, Charlotte Ramirez, and Sandra Lindsay.
A public memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, located at 1112 Canterbury Drive, Hays, Kansas. Condolences and memories of Gene may be shared with his family at www.haysmemorial.com