Eugene Garth Hulse

Eugene Garth Hulse passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on Friday, February 24, 2023, in Norman, OK, at the age of 84.  He loved playing the piano, yard work, traveling, volunteering to help others and spending time with family and friends.

Garth was born on April 25, 1938, to Floyd Harrison and Mabel Margaret Hulse.  He grew up on the family farm in Conway, KS, and attended Sharps Creek, a one-room country schoolhouse, for grades 1-8 from 1944 to 1952.  The school was two miles from the farm, and Garth and his younger sister, Kay, would walk or ride a horse to get there.  Garth then attended Marquette High School from the fall of 1952 until graduation in 1956.

After high school, Garth pursued Music Education and Music Therapy at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS, before enlisting in the United States Military in 1960.  He served as an Army Medical Specialist from 1960 to 1963.  After completing his military service, Garth joined the Wichita Health Department in 1964.  While working in Wichita, he also attended Sacred Heart College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Science.  In 1972, he moved to Salina, KS, where he worked for the Saline County Public Health Department.  In 1980, Garth moved to Topeka, KS, where he worked for the Kansas State Public Health Department until he retired in 2000.  After retirement, Garth enjoyed traveling the world until he was diagnosed with Dementia.  In 2018, he moved to Norman, OK, and resided at Rivermont Assisted Living and Memory Care where he battled the disease until his death.

Garth was preceded in death by both parents, Floyd and Mabel; his brother, Gary; his sisters, Elverta Jean and Kay; his former spouse, Nancy Fry; and his partner, Craig Srna.  He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Erik and Lori Hulse of Norman, OK; his son, Mark Hulse of Tulsa, OK; son and daughter-in-law, Jon and Jennifer Hulse of Lee Summit, MO; daughter and son-in-law, Scott and Kirstin Spindler of Albuquerque, NM; grandchildren Randi and John Thompson, Nate and Katie Hulse, Logan, Easton and Alexis Spindler, and Evan and Caden Hulse; and great-grandchildren Jaxon and Rex Hulse.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Parks For All Foundation in care of The Ted Ensley Gardens at 3137 SE 29th St, Topeka, KS 66605.