Gene Gurule

Herman “Gene” Gurule gracefully withstood a rare degenerative neurological disorder known as progressive supranuclear palsy or PSP, until succumbing peacefully on October 7, 2023 at his home in Mission Viejo, California in the loving embrace of his family and friends. Gene was 82 years old.

Gene humbly entered the world on July 3, 1941 in a modest adobe house built by his parents Ricardo and Ramona Gurule in Bernalillo, New Mexico. There the family made ends meet as farmers. However, a year after his birth the family moved to Southern California, settling in Hawaiian Gardens where land was cheap. At the time this small residential settlement contained dirt roads and was surrounded by agricultural fields. Gene’s first language was Spanish but became fluent in English by the time he was school age. Gene’s childhood was not adorned with excess, and the limited family income was spent on the essentials needed to feed, house, and clothe him and his seven brothers and sisters. The family lived in small homes they progressively built on the three adjoining lots the family owned, each house slightly bigger than the last. Gene would tell stories of him and his siblings roaming the nearby farm fields after harvest to collect leftover food to bring home. Gene attended Artesia High School where he excelled in cross country and track, winning the 1959 CIF-small schools cross-country title. His education may have ended there were it not for his coach who encouraged Gene to attend Cerritos College to continue his education and athletic pursuits. At Cerritos College Gene continued his success as an athlete and was awarded a scholarship to attend San Jose State University, which at the time was known for its outstanding cross-country and track and field programs that won NCAA Championships and produced many Olympic athletes. Gene’s experiences at San Jose State were pivotal in many ways. Gene majored in education while running on the cross country and track teams. His athletic achievements there included selection for two All-American teams, cross-country in 1963 and track and field in 1964, two NCAA cross-country championship wins by San Jose State in 1962 and 1963, winning the famous Bay to Breakers race in 1963, qualifying for the 1964 Olympic Trials in the 10,000 meters, and was inducted into the San Jose State Sports Hall of Fame along with his other 1963 cross-country team members. In 1965 Gene married Barbara Buckwalter who was also attending San Jose State and earning a degree in education. The two graduated from San Jose State with Bachelor of Arts degrees and later that year Barbara gave birth to their first son Jeffrey. Later in life both Gene and Barbara returned to school and earned Master of Arts degrees. Gene’s experiences as a child, student, and athlete instilled in him the values of hard work, perseverance, and belief in self. These values became the guiding force that propelled Gene toward the realization of his dreams.

Gene and Barbara moved to Whittier in 1966 after Gene landed a teaching and coaching job at Monte Vista High School. There Barbara gave birth to their second son Timothy in 1967. In 1968, while still working at Monte Vista High School, Gene and his budding family moved to the blossoming community of Mission Viejo, whose slogan at the time was “The California Promise”. Gene held to the belief that the “California Promise” would be fulfilled and in 1969 he was offered a job as an industrial arts teacher, head cross-country coach, and assistant track coach at Mission Viejo High School. Later Gene would become the head track and field coach. At Mission Viejo High School Gene was able to enjoy a respectable career as a teacher, while engaging in his passion for running and competition as a coach. In 1972 Gene and Barbara welcomed their daughter Jennifer into the world. Gene worked hard to keep the family afloat in the up-and-coming community of Mission Viejo. In addition to his regular teaching and coaching responsibilities he also taught driver’s training at the high school, along with teaching night classes and coaching women’s cross-country and men’s track and field at Saddleback College. Another amusing side job he had was peddling hat racks he made from old baseball bats. Gene’s coaching and teaching accomplishments at Mission Viejo High School included coaching CIF cross-country champion teams in 1991 and 1998, leading the 1982 track and field team to win the California State Championships, twice awarded Coach of the Year by the Orange County Register, and awarded Teacher of the Year by Saddleback Valley Unified School District. As a high school coach Gene changed the lives of countless students, carrying on the legacy of his own high school coach who was so instrumental in his life. To this day (even posthumously), former students reach out to thank him for the positive influence he had on their lives.

In addition to his successes as a coach and teacher, Gene was also an avid outdoorsman. He and Barbara took the family on numerous summer camping trips, exploring the many scenic wonders of the western states. Fishing was always a mainstay of these trips. These outdoor experiences created lifelong memories and had a profound influence on his children that shaped the course of each of their lives.

Life in Mission Viejo continued to blossom for Gene and his family. After staying home with their children until they reached school age Barbara started working as an elementary school teacher, increasing the financial security of the family. Gene and Barbara enjoyed spending time with friends they made at work and Jeff, Tim, and Jennifer enjoyed the safety and freedom the community provided, as well as countless hours of play with neighborhood friends. As his children grew older, Gene had the opportunity to teach and coach Jeff, Tim, and Jennifer at the high school, which gave him great joy and had a big impact on each of them.

After their children left home, Gene and Barbara enjoyed many travel experiences both domestically and abroad. However, family remained a big focus of their lives, and they enjoyed time spent with their grandchildren Avery, Iris, Taner, Elva, and Milo. Gene was very proud of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren and was always there to support them when needed. Gene retired from teaching in 2002 but continued coaching until 2009. After retirement, Gene jumped into his next big athletic pursuit, golf! He took the game seriously and would play and practice almost daily. The score cards and short little pencils he brought home from every game will probably turn up in unexpected places 100 years from now.

Gene will always be remembered for his generosity, friendly nature, willingness to lend a helping hand, and passion for athletic pursuits. He was a dedicated and loyal husband, father, grandfather, and coach. Gene’s memory will live on in the hearts and minds of his family, friends, and many students whose lives he touched.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Gene on January 28, 2024 from 1 to 5pm in the Jacaranda Rooms and Orchard Terrace at the Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center, located at 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, CA. All are welcome.