ODESSA - Gene Charles Thurber, 80, of Odessa, Texas passed away on Saturday, July 2, 2016, at Medical Center Hospital. Gene was born on March 19, 1936 in Iowa Park, Texas to George and Ruby Thurber. He graduated from Odessa High School in 1954, attended Draughn's Business College for a certificate in Radio/Television Electronics, and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Bible and Speech from Wayland Baptist University. He married Joan Autance Taylor on April 30, 1955. He became a Pastor and served at First Baptist Church, Grandfalls, Texas, and then at First Baptist Church, Halfway, Texas. After returning to Odessa in 1980, he served bi-vocationally throughout churches in West Texas, Sanderson, and Balmorrhea. He also owned and operated the Odessa TV & Video Clinic. Gene was an avid remote control airplane enthusiast, builder, and flyer. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joan Thurber; his son, Mark and wife Terri; his daughter, Marisa Warren and husband, David; four grandchildren, Aaron and Joshua Thurber, Kristofer and Taylor Warren, Rochelle Kennedy; and three great grandchildren. Funeral Service will be, Tuesday, June 05, 2016 at Hubbard Kelly Funeral Home Chapel at 4:00 pm, and Vaughny Taylor officiating. Graveside services immediately following. Arrangements are by Hubbard Kelly Funeral Home.