Nathan Eugene (Gene) Shands

Shands, Nathan Eugene (Gene) passed away Thursday August 27, 2009. He was born December 24, 1926 to N. E. & Elsie Holley Shands. He was a member of a pioneer family in Mesquite, graduated from Mesquite High School, attended Texas A & M, served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, graduated from the Southern Methodist University, & Southwestern School of banking. He started his banking career at the Mercantile National Bank before becoming President of First National Bank of Mesquite. He was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church of Mesquite, founding member of Dallas East Inc., Mesquite Chamber of Commerce and Mesquite Lions Club, one of the founders of Mesquite Baseball Inc. For many years he worked with the United Way. Mr. Shands is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 62 years Sara Lee Shands; daughter, Suzanne Coleman & husband Keith, son: Nathan Eugene Shands & wife, Mary Melissa; daughter: Gena Shands, grandchildren: James Evans II & wife Christie, Natalie Shands & Nicholas Freitag; great grandchildren: Heather Loven, Jamie Evans and Trey Evans. great great grandchildren: Brayden Loven and Peighton Evans. Sister: Sara Beth Wilcox and many other loving family and friends. Service will be 11:00AM Tuesday September 1, 2009 at First United Methodist Church of Mesquite, 300 N Galloway, Mesquite, TX. 75149. Family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday evening from 6PM " 8PM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the First United MethodistChurch of Mesquite or the charity of your choice.