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Gene Bernard Fulford, Sr., 97, died September 3, 2023 at his home in Okeechobee, Florida.
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Gene Bernard Fulford, Sr., 97, died September 3, 2023 at his home in Okeechobee, Florida.
Gene was born on August 14, 1926 to parents Columbus Alexander Fulford and Madaline Lenora Windham Fulford in Bonifay, Florida.
Gene attended and played football for Okeechobee High School and was drafted to the U.S. Navy in his early adult years.
He was also a member of Okeechobee Seventh-Day Adventist Church. He married Peggy Clarece Harvey Fulford, and they had 3 children, Peggy Ann Fulford Goolsby, Gene B. Fulford, Jr. and Bobby Joe Fulford, Sr.
Owner of Kissimmee Island Cattle Company, Gene was a lifelong cow man who was a pioneer of the beef industry and cattle ranching throughout the state of Florida. In the early 1940s, Gene won the bull riding at Okeechobee’s first rodeo. Many years later he served as president of the Okeechobee Cattlemen’s Association. He was a successful businessman, and an avid turkey hunter. He loved his family, NFL football, and enjoyed wildlife especially his herd of imported red stag deer.
Gene is preceded in death by his parents; siblings; wife, Peggy Fulford; children, Peggy Ann Goolsby and Bobby Joe Fulford, Sr.; along with many friends. Gene is survived by his son, Gene Fulford, Jr.; siblings; multiple grandchildren; and great grandchildren.
Visitation will be Saturday, September 9, 2023 from 12pm-2pm. Funeral service will begin at 2pm at Buxton Bass Okeechobee Funeral Home. Internment will follow at Basinger Cemetery.
