Eugene "Gene" R. Corkins, age 86, of Spearfish passed away, succumbing to cancer, during the early morning hours of Sunday, March 1, 2009 at his home, in Spearfish, surrounded by his family.

Gene Corkins was born May 11, 1922 at the family home in Rockham, SD, to Thomas Chester and Zelma (McNames) Corkins. Gene graduated from Redfield High School in May of 1942 and that same year he was a member of the state basketball championship team. He enlisted in the United States Navy on November 6, 1942. Gene served as an Aviation Ordanceman (turret mechanic - CASU F44), receiving a good conduct medal while serving his country on Tinian and Saipan during World War II. After his honorable discharge on February 14, 1946, Gene returned home to South Dakota, working on combine crews and various jobs until becoming employed by the South Dakota Department of Transportation, Division of Highways, located in Redfield, SD. After 27 years of service, Gene took an early retirement, moving from Redfield to Lead, SD, where he cared for his ailing mother. In 1984, Gene moved to Spearfish, SD, where he remained until the time of his death. Gene's life and legacy was his family and friends; chronicling their lives in home movies, scrapbooks, and picture albums, tracking the family history through genealogy, and keeping in contact with everyone through his many letters, cards and visits. Gene loved his family, friends and his country. He enjoyed traveling by train and car throughout the United States to attend his yearly Navy reunions from 1994 to 2007. He was very disappointed when, due to ill health, he could not attend the reunion in California in September of 2008. Gene enjoyed playing Pinochle each week at Union Hall in Lead, earning the name of "Lean, Mean Gene the Card Playing Machine." He also greatly enjoyed his daily coffee club at the Millstone Restaurant. He was absolutely devoted to "his" Minnesota Vikings & Twins. After retirement he spent many a summer weekend in Minnesota watching ballgames. Gene loved animals, becoming very proficient at Sammy (dog) sitting. Animals immediately took to Gene and all became his "good buddies." He kept up on current affairs, was an avid reader and enjoyed his music. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and VFW. Gene will be deeply missed. He will be remembered for his great sense of humor and as an honorable and decent man. He was loved and respected by all who knew him.

Gene is survived by his sister, Donna Corkins and "good buddy" Sammy of Miles City, MT, sister-in-law, Eva Corkins of Lead, nieces and nephews: Cheryl (Gerald) Rogers of Deadwood, SD, Pam (Lanny) Wells of Box Elder, SD, Cyndi (Gary) Fisher of Deadwood, Tom (Lynn) Corkins of Lead, Terry (Nancy) Corkins of Sturgis, Judy (Bill) Smith of Diamond Head, Miss., Linda (Millard) Finch of Call, TX, and Richard Gale of Colton, CA, great nieces and nephews: Charlie (Tara) Sewell, Tony Sewell, Tim (Brandi) Wells, Jason (Darla) Bauernfeind, Sheri (Larry) Williams, TJ Corkins, Todd Corkins, Austin Corkins, Anthony Corkins, Nicole Corkins, Alex Corkins, John (Jane) Finn, Jamey (Kristi) Finch, Heather (Mark) White, Michael Gale, Angela (Kevin) Caliva, Billy (Matia) Finch, Danny Finch, and 18 great great nieces and nephews.

Gene is also survived by the following cousins: Agnes Corkins of Spearfish, Fern Willis, Alice Hardie, Walter "Spark" (Beverlee) Corkins, Marlene Pfister, Darleen and Marlyn Mangen all of Redfield, Gary Geuke of Tulare, SD, Gene and Marian Lauer of Howard, SD, Ardis McNames of Watertown, SD, Violet Zeigler of Bloomington, MN, Beverly Lane of Scottsdale, AZ, Ed and Carol Ledyard of Spearfish, and Connie Hamilton of Littleton, CO.

Gene left behind his good friends, Mike and Catherine Deery, Pete Frankevich, Fred Hayslette, Garland and Peggy Williams, Jim Widick, Rita Dorobek, Alvina Stearns, Frankie and Janis Cowick, Arlene Rose, Bill and Kathy Compton, Carl and Wilma Nelson, Art and Shirley Mae Solheim, Rick and Gina Jahn, Loreen Grandy, Teresa Colvin, Marie Whiton, HB Birch, Bernie Abernathy, Bob Carl, Gene Ewing, Kevin Dahl, Carol Hamilton, Barney Swartz, Esther Ackerman, John Williams, Joe and Lillian Roark, Ken and Helen Westphal, Terresah Hall, Jale and Patsy Stonehouse, Van Vanderwerff and Nellie Snodgrass of Spotswood, SD.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, his stepfather, Ralph Terry, his stepmother, Mildred Corkins, sister, Madeline Gale, brother, Merton Corkins, brother-in-law, Harold Josewski, whose life was taken when his plane was shot down over France during the war in 1943, nephew, Timothy Corkins, great niece, Tasha Corkins, and special friend Inez Schushard.

Gene will be deeply missed. He will be remembered for his great sense of humor and as an honorable and decent man. He was loved and respected by all who knew him.

Memorials may be made to the Western Hills Humane Society, 324 Industrial Drive, Spearfish, SD 57783.

Visitation will be from 2-6 P.M., Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Thursday, March 5, 2009 at the funeral home with Tim Wells officiating. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with full military honors provided by the Spearfish Honor Guard.