Eugene Gittings De Bullet

FORT WORTH - With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Mr. Eugene G. de Bullet, Jr. on January 21, 2025. Gene was one of a kind. A loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and friend - known for his kindness, quick wit and unwavering love for his family.
Visitation: 9:45 a.m. Saturday, February 8, 2025, at First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth; followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. with a reception immediately after in Wesley Hall. Interment: 1:45 p.m. Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Greenwood Memorial Park.
Gene is a Fort Worth native, growing up in the Crestwood area, graduate of Paschal High School, Texas Christian University, and St. Mary's University School of Law. Gene loved his Fort Worth roots and he built his first home in Lake Country on Eagle Mountain Lake in 1974 after marrying Sharon Ann where he raised his family. In 1998, he finished his adored home, "The Castle," on Eagle Mountain Lake where he happily lived for 27 years. The family memories made here with Carole, his children and grandchildren brought Gene immense joy.
He skillfully and respectfully practiced law for 55 years in Fort Worth. Gene started his career in 1970 at the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office under District Attorney Frank Coffey. Thereafter, Gene joined the Criminal Defense Firm of Brown and Beech. Two years later, Gene and Bill Wardlaw Brown formed a partnership which lasted until the late 1990's. Gene then held a solo law career for the next 25 years that he was always so proud of.
Gene had innumerable awards and distinguished achievements throughout his career. Gene was Charter President of the Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. He was recognized and distinguished as a Top Attorney in North America 2024-2025. He is also a member of Texas Trial Lawyers and Tarrant County Family Bar Association. He served on the Board of Directors for Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association for six years and was president of Tarrant County Criminal Bar for two years. He chaired the Tarrant County Bar Association, Criminal Law Section while at the District Attorney's Office. Gene is licensed in all Texas Courts, in Federal District (Northern and Western Districts of Texas) and in Federal Bankruptcy Court and Federal Court (Eastern District of Arkansas).
He was proud of his achievements outside of his law practice as well. He was past president of Rotary Club, Fort Worth Jaycee's, Fort Worth Junior Chamber of Commerce, Fort Worth Air Power Council, Fort Worth Airpower Foundation, and Lake Country Property Owners Association. Gene was an active Rotarian and is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Julian Fields Lodge, Quiet Birdmen, Circle the Wagons, 32-degree Royal Order of the Jesters, Sottish Rite Mason, and Moslah Shrine Patrol. Gene enjoyed every Ball, Dance and Fundraiser for each of these organizations over his many years of membership and service. So many of his lifelong friends were fostered from endearing moments at the incredible events created by these organizations.
Gene had fun doing just about anything and everything! He was an avid hunter of most anything that moved, but never missed a season of deer hunting for about 35 years. He and his son, Gene, hunted throughout Texas, Montana, Colorado, Alaska and Africa and proudly displayed his kills throughout his home and office, especially the large, mounted Mountain Lion staring back at you or the bear rug that seemed so life-like.
He also thoroughly loved his Cris Craft Cruisers that we fondly referred to as his "Big Boats", but he had several "jet boats" in the 80's that just were loud and fast then to the Fountains of the 90's that were blow your shirt off fast. He loved taking his family and friends out on Eagle Mountain Lake to Fort Worth Boat Club and Harbor One. One of his favorite holidays was the 4th of July where he could entertain family and friends alike at his lake home and then on the boat while admiring the fireworks.
Gene also had a lavish love for fast cars. No doubt his visit to the Ferrari dealership in Italy was a highlight of his life - grins from ear to ear. So many fun and exhilarating memories of the Corvettes, Aston Martins, Lamborghinis, and Ferrari's, especially piling Courtney and her friends into the Ferrari after a softball game.
One of Gene's grandest loves were his airplanes. Gene attained his pilot's license at a young age and wanted to be up in the sky as often as he could. He happily flew his Cessnas, Mitsubishi M2, Aerostar or King Air with his trusty co-pilots, Courtney, Gene or Sharon, across the skies of Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Florida and Mexico to go snow skiing, hunting or just out to dinner. Additionally, some highlights of Gene's flying adventures were with his dear cousins, Zac and Rusty Russom. Mexico and Central America never knew a dull moment with these Three Amigos!
Gene loved being an alum of TCU and was so proud his daughter, Courtney, also became a TCU alum. He was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity at TCU. Gene attended many TCU alumni events over the years and loved cheering the Frogs on at football games - "Riff, Ram, Bah Zoo....Give 'em Hell, TCU!"
Another great love of Gene's was tennis which he had played since junior high - Gene loved playing at a competitive level. He so loved watching his son, Gene, play tennis for so many years, from a young boy to college in Oklahoma. Gene is thrilled his grandson, Grant, is an avid tennis player - this brought such great joy to Gene's heart.
Gene was an ultimate animal lover too. From Captain, the German Shepard, Toby, the Irish Setter, Atila, the Samoyed, or his energetic, Bandit, the Husky, to Korlea, the first family cat, and then his many adored blue point Siamese. But the standout feline, his most beloved blue point Siamese, Pretties, was more like a dear service animal and friend to him these past couple years. Pretties spent most of each day in Gene's lap keeping him smiling and comforted.
He adored genealogy, and it led him to learn so many interesting details regarding the Russom, Smith, Pope, Price, Buchanon and de Bullet families. Family history was a legacy for Gene and he was proud to have French, Scottish, German and British heritage. He has so many treasured family heirlooms that would make him smile just thinking about it. However, his most cherished heirlooms are his grandchildren. He had such a special connection with each. He loved that Grace could beat him in Gin Rummy and spar intellectually; Grant was his tennis protégé and tv buddy; Shae was the vibrant little one that would smile and get Papa to do just about anything including the last vacation to the Bahamas; and Jackson and Carson, his precious twin grandsons, that he enjoyed so many jokes, sports games, movies and ultimately trips to Braum's with for ice cream. These grandkids are going to miss him!
Gene was preceded in death by his angel, Sharon Ann de Bullet; and his parents, Bessie Russom de Bullet and Eugene de Bullet, Sr.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Carole; his darling daughter, Courtney Smith and her husband, Christopher Smith and three grandchildren, Grace, Grant, and Shae; his dear son, Eugene de Bullet III and two grandchildren, Jackson and Carson; stepdaughters, Ladonna Bruce, Candice Aubuchon and her husband, Kevin, and Courtney Hailey Smith and her husband, Blair, with grandson, Conley.
Gene's enduring spirit and commitment to those he loved serve as a testament to the extraordinary man he was. His spirit loved deeply and cared deeply. His humor ran deep and he lovingly teased others. He touched countless lives with his vibrant nature and unwavering support, leaving behind a legacy that will inspire generations to come. He will be deeply missed, yet lovingly remembered by all whose lives he graced. End of an era most surely.
Gene was passionate about the AirPower Foundation. If you'd like to make a donation in his memory, please use the below link. https://airpowerfoundation.org/donate/
GREENWOOD FUNERAL HOME
Greenwood Funeral Homes - Cremation
3344 White Settlement Road, Fort Worth, TX 76107
817-336-0584