Rev. Gene Hitt

REV. GENE HITT
Services for Rev. Earl Eugene Hitt, 72, of Kilgore will be held on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at Crosspointe Fellowship Church in Kilgore with Rev. Manny Cirilo officiating. The family will receive friends at the Chapel of Rader Funeral home on Tuesday, August 24, 2021, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Rev. Hitt was reunited with Jesus on Thursday, August 19, 2021.
Gene was born to Eunice Earl Hitt and Ruth Sanders Hitt on September 21, 1948, in Sikeston, Missouri. He accepted the call to ministry while attending high school at Sikeston Senior High where he graduated in 1966. He decided to continue his education at Anderson College where he met, then married the love of his life, Pattricia Eilene Preisig, on March 31, 1969. Gene graduated from Anderson College in 1970, and later obtained his master’s degree from Anderson School of Theology in 1973. He used this education to serve the Lord for the rest of his life. Gene and Pattricia shared two daughters, Laura and Rebecca, sons-in-law Charles and Shawn, and granddaughter Cassie and grandson-in-law Matt, who were the light of Gene’s life. Gene was devoted to his ministry work and served at various churches throughout the years. He spent 13 years as the Pastor of First Church of God in Liberal, Kansas. There he devoted time to the Rape Crisis and Domestic Violence Center, made life-long friends and volunteered his comedic talents at local schools. Along with spending time in church and with his family, he enjoyed reading, learning about computers and singing. Gene and his wife especially enjoyed their trips abroad to England, Scotland, France and the Caribbean.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eunice and Ruth Hitt, as well as many beloved aunts, uncles and family members.
Gene is survived by his wife of 52 years, Pattricia Hitt of Kilgore; sister Jan Callen and husband Barry Callen; daughters Laura Rickman and husband Charles Rickman of Kilgore, Rebecca Billings and husband Shawn Billings of Kilgore, granddaughter Cassandra Billings Reed and husband Matthew Reed of Anderson, IN, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and other loving family members.
Memorials may be made in Gene’s name to The Church of God Missions at www.jesusisthesubject.org.