Gene Irvin Fahlenkamp

Gene Irvin Fahlenkamp, age 82, of Tuttle, Oklahoma, passed away on Thursday, October 24, 2024, in Norman, Oklahoma.

Born on March 29, 1942, in Hartley, Iowa, to Chet and Eulla Fahlenkamp, Gene grew up with his brother, LeRoy, on the family farm. From an early age, Gene’s humble beginnings shaped his strong work ethic and love for family. During high school, he was actively involved in sports, playing football, basketball, baseball, and singing in the school chorus. He graduated from Arnolds Park High School in Arnolds Park, Iowa, in 1960.

Gene pursued his studies in Electrical Engineering at Estherville Junior College, where he also played on the football and basketball teams. He then served in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) as a radio operator during the Vietnam War, later continuing his service in the reserves while working on the Minute Man Missile bases throughout the upper Midwest. After his military service, Gene settled in Spirit Lake, Iowa, where he worked for John Morrell and Company Packing Plant in Estherville and began showing his registered reining quarter horses—a passion that would stay with him throughout his life.

In 1971, Gene married Carolynne Love, and together they were blessed with two sons, Jacob Ryon and Kyle Gene, in Wallingford, Iowa. The family later moved to Lockwood, Missouri, where Gene farmed, raised horses, and spent Sunday afternoons team roping with friends. In the early 1980s, they relocated to Kingfisher, Oklahoma. Over the years, Gene built a respected career in the oilfield, working with companies such as Well-Tech, Bogert Oil, Louis Dreyfus Natural Gas, Love’s Water Services, Dominion Energy, and Linn Energy, where he retired. When not working, he was an active presence in his sons’ lives, coaching their baseball teams and attending their athletic events as a devoted supporter.

In retirement, Gene settled in Tuttle, Oklahoma and found joy in attending his grandchildren’s events, restoring trucks, and raising horses. Gene was a constant source of love, strength, and wisdom, whose support and encouragement left a lasting impact on his family.

Gene is survived by his sons, Jake Fahlenkamp and wife Heather, and Kyle Fahlenkamp and wife Andrea; grandchildren Kyle, Kooper, Jacelyn, Jessica, Kade, and Kashton; sister-in-law Irma Fahlenkamp; nephews Steven and Peter Fahlenkamp; and numerous cousins. 

Gene is preceded in death by his parents, Chet and Eulla Fahlenkamp, and recently followed in death by his brother, LeRoy Fahlenkamp on November 3rd, 2024.