Gene W. Mahanay

Funeral services for Clinton business man, Gene W. Mahanay, Jr., 77, will be Wednesday, July 6, 2016. The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m., in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Clinton following a private family burial service. He died Saturday, July 2, 2016 in his home, surrounded by his family. Gene W. Mahanay, Jr. was born in Pauls Valley, OK, on September 23,1938, to Mr.& Mrs. Gene W. Mahanay, Sr. During his early childhood, he and his Mother traveled to both coasts, following his father as he served in the U.S. Navy. Gene started school in Vernon, TX. He moved to Clinton during his second grade year and graduated with the class of 1956. During his early teens, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout in his local Boy Scout Troop. He attended The University of Oklahoma where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity and participated in the University ROTC Program. After receiving a college degree in Business Administration, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U. S. Army. During his early months of active military duty, he was stationed in Texas, Georgia and Maryland. His final tour of duty was in Straubing, Germany where he served in the intelligence division of the 11th Armored Cavalry. Upon returning to civilian life, he remained active in the Army Reserve until he was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. His business experience began at a very young age by working for a local grocer. During his teen years, he worked in the family business of Mahanay Brothers' Auto Parts. As a college student, he earned his fun money by pedaling low cost antifreeze from the trunk of his car. This inventory came from the store of a family friend. Customers for this merchandise were in the Oklahoma City area. After completing active military duty, Gene joined Mahanay Brothers as a salesman. Soon thereafter, he opened his own auto parts store in Elk City. This experience prepared him for ownership of Parts Warehouse that supplied merchandise to all Mahanay stores. During the 1970's, he decided on a career change and became the President and CEO of the Clinton Savings & Loan. The real estate appraisal training and experience he gained during his tenure with the Savings & Loan led him to form his own company of Mahanay Appraisal Co. in 1991. This company has been in existence for twenty-five years and still remains strong today. Gene Mahanay was very active in civic affairs. A longtime member of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, he always believed that it was important to be deeply involved in one's community. He served as President of Rotary Club, and has been President of the Clinton Industrial Foundation for over twenty-five years. He served on the Clinton Golf Board. One of his proudest accomplishments was helping to add nine new holes to the existing golf course. That endeavor helps to provide entertainment for hundreds of golfers, still to this day. He has been a member of several professional organizations linked to the Real Estate Appraisal Industry. First Baptist Church of Clinton was always his church home. He served on the board of directors of the Southwestern Oklahoma Development Authority (SWODA), located at Burns Flat. Being an avid outdoorsman, Gene thoroughly enjoyed hunting quail and playing golf. He loved fly fishing and took great pride in his skills of tying his own fishing flies. This skill was learned at the age of 12 while working toward a merit badge in Boy Scouts. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Gene W. Mahanay, Sr. He is survived by his wife of fifty-two years, Mary Beth Mahanay of the home, three children, Brad Mahanay of Dallas, TX, D'Ann Riley and husband Brett of Tulsa, OK and Clint Mahanay and wife Sheri of Clinton. Surviving grandchildren are Cannon Riley, Kendall Riley, Drew Mahanay and Marly Mahanay. Memorials have been established with the "Covered Bus Stop Project," sponsored by the Clinton Public School Foundation - Attn: Mr. Patch McComas - Oklahoma Bank & Trust, 600 West Gary Blvd., Clinton, Ok 73601 or Boy Scouts of America -Troop 361- First United Methodist Church, 1001 Frisco Ave., Clinton, OK 73601