Obituary of Maynard Eugene Boring

Dr. M. Eugene “Gene” Boring, 88, died peacefully in his home, surrounded by family, on June 27, 2024. He was born on August 13, 1935 in Maryville, Tennessee to Maynard and Bonnie Boring. He graduated from Maryville High School where he developed an interest in photography. On July 9, 1951 he met the love of his life, Karen Kay Chapman at church camp. They were married August 29, 1956 in Knoxville, Tennessee, and would have celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary this August. He was an ordained minister of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ, and served churches in Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee. He has degrees from Johnson Bible College, Christian Theological Seminary, Butler University, and Vanderbilt. In 1967 he accepted a position as Professor of New Testament and Greek, and later became the Darbeth Distinguished Professor of New Testament at the Graduate Seminary at Phillips University, Enid Oklahoma. He became the A.A. Bradford Professor of Religion, Texas Christian University, in 1986. In 1992 he became the Wylie and Elizabeth M. Briscoe Professor of New Testament at Brite Divinity School until his retirement on January 1, 2003, at which time he was named Professor Emeritus of New Testament. He was the author of many books and translations that remain widely valued today.

In addition to his professional accomplishments and service to the church, Gene’s family was his greatest love, and being an “Opa” his proudest title. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Jim, and a beloved granddaughter, Caitlin Kay Bryan. He is survived by his wife Karen, daughter and son-in-law Bonnie and Mark Bryan of Beulah, Colorado, son and daughter-in- law Bradley Boring and Mary Herth of Longmont Colorado, daughter and son-in -law Beth and Jeff Howard of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and grandchildren Tanner and Oliva Bryan of Denver, Colorado, Kayson Howard of West Palm Beach, Florida, and Chapman Howard of Tucson, Arizona, a sister Bonnie Sue Berrong of Maryville Tennessee, and a brother Dennis and wife Brenda of Summerville, Georgia.

Gene loved to spend his summers and sabbaticals at the University of Gottingen, Gottingen, Germany. One of the greatest family memories is the adventures the entire family took to Germany in 1973. These are the stories he loved to tell around the kitchen table, including just recently at a family reunion on June 8. Another great love was taking long walks around the neighborhood lake, where he undoubtedly was known as “the old guy in the TCU purple and hiking sticks.” He never knew a stranger and made many friends on his walks. The impact of his scholarship, teaching, faithfulness to the church and to his family and community will never be forgotten.

A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at University Christian Church, Ft. Worth Texas, at 4 PM. It will be live streamed at www.universitychristian.org/live/. In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made to University Church Children’s Closet, www.universitychristian.org or the Craddock Center, Cherry Log, Georgia: www.craddockcenter.org