Eugene Franklin Gowdy, 75, from Sanford Colorado, passed away at his home on December 29th, 2017, after an extended illness. Eugene was born in Davenport, Iowa, to Vern and Dorothy Moore on February 7, 1942. His father passed away when Gene was 2 years old. His mother married Theodore Gowdy when Gene was 4 years old. Theodore adopted Gene and his older brother Gerald.

Gene and Sharlene Barr Gowdy were married December 29, 1978, in Salt Lake City Utah. He passed away on their 39th anniversary.

Gene served in the US Army in Vietnam for 20 months and then walked the wall in Berlin for the remainder of his service in the Army.

Gene began his teaching career in 1969 in Carthage, Illinois. He later taught in Hollywood, Florida, Fort Morgan, Sanford, and Alamosa, Colorado. He ended his 37-year teaching career in Davenport, Iowa. Early in his career he taught history and physical education. The last 21 years of his career he taught reading and special education. Gene had a phenomenal love for his special education students. He was a coach throughout his teaching career. Gene loved being a mentor and a coach to his students.

Gene and Sharlene retired from teaching in 2010 and moved back to their home in Sanford. Gene took great pride in his home and yard.

Gene was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Gene was preceded in death by his mother, father, brother, and his in-laws, Gene and Gladys Barr, and Don and Elizabeth Bushnell. He is survived by his wife, Sharlene, and her family, Kent (Patti) Barr, Max (Betty) Barr, Paul (Dorothy) Barr, Roxie (Preston) Stanley, Dotty Barr, Shirley (Craig) Valentine, Brent (Linda) Barr, Sue (Allan) Jackson, Kirk (Lisa) Barr, Mark Barr, and Tom (Adele) Barr and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 4, 2018, at the Sanford Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A visitation will take place before the services in the Relief Society room at the church in Sanford from 9:30-10:45 am Thursday morning. Interment will follow his services at the Sanford Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to the Colorado Special Olympics, in care of the funeral home office. Rogers Family Mortuary of Manassa is in care of the arrangements. Online condolences, tributes and remarks for Gene’s family may be left by visiting www.RogersFunerals.com

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