Roy "Gene" Eugene Hill

Roy Eugene “Gene” Hill, 70, passed away on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 after a brief but valiantly fought battle with cancer.

Gene was born in Pueblo, Colorado on February 14, 1947, a birthday he shared with his Father, Roy, both of them being Valentine’s Day babies.

He graduated from Central High School in Pueblo in 1965 where he played basketball and developed a life-long love for all sports. He later coached children of all ages helping them to also develop their love of sports. Most recently, Gene volunteered for the Athletic Department at Western State University where one of his greatest joys was being an announcer for the Mountaineer football games. If he was not playing, coaching or announcing sports, you could be sure to find him watching a favorite team on television.

After graduating high school, Gene joined the U.S. Marine Corps serving in Vietnam and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina from 1965 to 1968 as an MP.

After his service in the U.S. Marine Corps, he joined the police force in Gunnison, Colorado, beginning a forty-one (41) year career in law enforcement in both Gunnison and Montrose.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Earvin Hill and Odetta Pauline Sumrall. He is survived by his children and grandchildren, the loves of his life: Daughter Tara Yvonne Logan, her husband Kevin and his granddaughter Kalee; daughter Kara Yvette Burton, her husband Ollie, his grandson Brenden and granddaughter Brooklyn; and his son, Gregory Scott Hill, his wife Shannon and granddaughter, Emmalyn (arriving June 2017). Gene is also survived by his sister, Peggy Barnett.

Gene never met a stranger, had a smile and a joke for everyone and lived for every minute he could share with his family and friends.

A celebration of Gene’s life will be held on Friday, March 24^th at 1:00 p.m. at the Fred R. Field Western Heritage Center in Gunnison, CO

Crippin Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.