Eugene Charles "Gene" Meleski

Gene (a.k.a Geno, Sonny, and Ski) was born in Houston, Texas on September 10, 1947, and passed away in Cleveland, Texas on June 7, 2025. Soon after graduating from Sam Houston High School in 1966, he attended San Jacinto College and then began his long and successful career in the auto service industry in various dealerships in the Houston area, before settling in Cleveland at Nicklow Ford. He then joined Martin Chevrolet Buick GMC as Service Manager in October 1986, and was well-liked by his coworkers, his employees, and his customers. Gene was named to the “Only the Best Club”, an elite recognition program with General Motors, specifically honoring and recognizing the highest-performing GM service managers. Gene retired from Martin in October 2009.

In his retirement years, he continued to pursue his lifelong love of outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, and gardening. He and Suzanne were honored for their over 35 years of service to the Cleveland Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. For Gene, working in his garden was a labor of love, and he enjoyed sharing the bounty of his garden with others. Gene also enjoyed traveling, and over the years visited Spain, Italy, Hawaii, and Alaska. Gene and Suzanne were dedicated fans of the Houston Oilers and the Houston Texans and attended many games together.

Gene had a lively wit and sense of humor, and his family and friends often found themselves the target of his pranks and practical jokes. Gene worked hard and played hard. He loved what he did, and he loved doing it. Gene will be missed by his current pets including Bud (parrot), Barney (garage cat), Buster (barn cat), Sparky (Australian Shepherd), and all his geese and cows. Gene has been welcomed into the afterlife by his numerous cherished pets lost over the years.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Helen Derkowski Meleski, by his sister Delores Howard, and by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, E.L.”Luby” and Gladys Smith.

Gene is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Suzanne Smith Meleski, and by his daughters, Julie Wozniak and husband Art, Dena Cardenas and husband David; grandchildren Brent Rhoden and wife Diana, Cody Rhoden and wife Madie, Landon Rhoden, Jeremy Cardenas and Nick Cardenas; great-grandchildren, Brent Rhoden, Jr, and Clara Rhoden; niece, Terri Howard Calhoun and husband James; great-nephews, Gavin Yates, and Brice Yates. Gene will be missed by family, dear friends, and co-workers.

Visitation will be at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Cleveland on Monday, June 16, 2025, from 10am-11am. A Celebration of Life for Gene will be held starting at 11am following the visitation, with Brother George Hayden officiating. Burial at Cleveland Memorial Cemetery will follow the service. Those serving as pallbearers are Preston McLelland, Brian Bounds, Cleve Die, Joe Edell, Richard Boyett, and Bobby Lum. Honorary pallbearers are Skip Martin, R.C. Sweeten, Carlton Duff, Charlie “BB” Wisnoski, Henry Derkowski, Jr., Willie Jo Wisnoski, Gerald Lee, Randy Mays, Johnny Muckelroy, Raymond Harper, Griff Strange, Alvin Porter, and Tommy Kubezca.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to your local animal shelter.