Eugene Edward Egan

Eugene Gene Edward Egan, 84, of Great Falls, died of cancer Friday, Feb. 24, at Peace Hospice of Montana.Graveside services with military honors are 11 a.m. Friday at Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Fort Harrison. Cremation took place under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home. Gene was born Jan. 2, 1928, in Great Falls, and grew up here. In 1947, he graduated from St. Mary's High School, where he starred in basketball.A Korean War veteran, Gene served in the Army from 1950 - 1953, and received the Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal. He enlisted in the Montana Air National Guard and served from 1956 - 1959, retiring as a staff sergeant.He married Dee Avina in 1962; they later divorced. Gene worked at Gates Rubber Company in Denver from 19591986, where he retired after 28 years of ser-vice. He was an avid sports fanespecially devoted to the Denver Broncos! Gene was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church.Survivors include a daughter, ZoeAnn of Denver; a son, Eugene Jr. of Laramie, Wyo.; and numer-ous nieces and nephews.Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Charles and Jane Elizabeth Egan; and 10 brothers and sisters.The family would like to thank all of Gene's caregivers: the VA Clinic, Easter Seals (caregiver Linda Larson), Benefis East, Missouri River Manor, and the wonderful staff and volunteers at Peace Hospice of Montana.Memorials may be sent to Easter Seals-Goodwill Northern Rocky Mountain, 4400 Central Ave., Great Falls, MT 59405, or Peace Hospice of Montana, 1101 26 St. S., Great Falls, MT 59405.