During the night of November 13, 2022, William Gene Medford, of Hohenwald, died with his family present. He was 74 years old.

Gene Medford was born to Minnie E Barnes and Cecil Ora Medford in Fort Worth, Texas on November 20, 1947.

He is survived by his long-term partner, Marilyn Baker; three sons, Bart Leonard, Chyld Medford, and Damian Medford; two daughters, Tammi Medford and Whitney Medford; seven grandchildren, Jessica Green, Rayne Lawrence, Sam Leonard, Sydney Keuler, Christian Francis, Bennett Francis and Elsa Medford; three great grandchildren, Shelby Green, Jaxon Green and Ruby Dawn Irene Lawrence.

Gene grew up in Fort Worth, Texas, but purchased a 10-acre place south of Hohenwald in 1973 where his mother started a farm while he found construction work in Florida. He moved back permanently to Hohenwald in 1976. He was an avid environmentalist from his early days in Hohenwald. He was always quick to pick up garbage off the sides of the road in the goal of keeping Middle Tennessee as pristine as possible. He founded the Lewis County Cleaner Roads Committee with Phil Thomas, a friend of his, in an effort to combat roadside dumping. In 1988 he received a certificate of appreciation from Governor Ned Ray McWherter for his environmental work.

Gene started TennTex Farms as a family company where he purchased and restored homes in the Hohenwald area and then rented them out to locals looking for a place to live.

Gene was a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, studied in depth the history of the Civil War, and for many years taught children, during school presentations, the details about the Civil War and being proud of their Southern heritage.

Gene loved music, particularly traditional Country Music. He played the guitar, sang and performed to the delight of his listeners. He loved racing cars and motorcycles coming in first many times. He also loved storytelling over a wide range of interesting subjects. He could educate and entertain for hours.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father and four siblings, Earlene Holder, Ed Holder, Luther Holder and Marie Holder.

Adair Funeral and Cremation Services assisted the family with arrangements.

Funeral services will be held at Adair Funeral on Sunday, December 4, 2022.

Gene’s ashes will be placed inside his mother’s headstone in the Medford Family Cemetery on Trace Creek Road in Hohenwald.