Gene F. Rahll

It is with heavy hearts that we announce that on January 7, 2026, Eugene "Gene" Francis Rahll went into a peaceful sleep only to awaken amongst the Heavenly Angels. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2:00pm on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church with Father Scott Raef as Celebrant. Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Louise, as well as the rest of the family, welcome friends to join them for a time of fellowship and remembrance from 5 until 7:00pm on Monday at the funeral home located at 424 Rock Island Ave. Gene's Homegoing Celebration has been entrusted to the staff Dalhart Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Eugene “Gene” Francis Rahll was born December 3, 1928 in Oxford, PA to Robert and Roberta Rahll. He grew up with three sisters and two brothers on their family farm in Pennsylvania, eventually purchasing the farm from his father.

In 1963, Gene began a career with New Holland Machine Company, a manufacturer of agricultural equipment. His work with New Holland brought him to Dalhart on several occasions where he met Louise Childers while attending Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Church, where they were married October 15, 1966.

On the day of their wedding, Gene and Louise flew to Australia for Gene’s work. This trip began their love of travel over the years, covering all 7 continents and 128 countries. Soon after marriage, Gene & Louise settled in Baltimore, MD and began his rental business career. After many years of growing and expanding the business, Gene mentored and partnered with eight young men to start their own rental businesses including Rabern Rental in Amarillo, which resulted in Gene being inducted into the Rental Hall of Fame in 2016 by the American Rental Association.

In 1982, Gene and Louise moved to Dalhart and began farming in the Texas Panhandle. It didn’t take long for Gene to get involved in the community eventually serving as Mayor for a 16 year tenure. Additionally, Gene was named Citizen of the Year by the Dalhart Chamber of Commerce in 1998 for the many ways he served the community.

Gene’s generosity can be seen throughout the community of Dalhart. Louise & Gene started giving scholarships to Dalhart High School seniors in 2004, eventually giving over one million dollars. Their love of providing an education to young people continued and led them to build a Junior College campus in Dalhart, culminating with the establishment of Frank Phillips College – Rahll Campus. Gene also had the vision to meet a recreational need within the community that would benefit people of all ages in Dalhart, with the Rahll Activity Center opening its doors in 2023.

One of Gene’s passions in life was his love for straight ahead jazz music, which Louise enjoyed also. As a young adult, Gene played the standup bass in his own band. In many of their travels, Gene and Louise would often attend jazz festivals, which they thoroughly enjoyed. They also brought several live Jazz concerts and many talented artists to the historic La Rita Performing Arts Theatre.

Gene often said, “We have gotten such pleasure from being able to help others. No one could be happier or more content with their life than I am.” He continually emphasized, “GIVE BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY.”

Survivors include his wife Louise, a native of Dalhart, two sisters Ann Gill and Thelma Lightner of Baltimore, MD and many nieces and nephews.

If you wish to make a memorial, the family suggests the following: Dallam-Hartley Counties Healthcare Foundation, check memo Nursing Home, PO Box 2014, Dalhart, TX 79022 or Rahll Activity Center, 802 Maple Ave, Dalhart, TX 79022.