Eugene R. Cobell

Eugene Raymond Cobell, 79, of Browning, Mt.

Dad, grandpa, husband, and friend is continuing his journey with the Lord when his heart gave out Friday, November 21, 2014 at 8:00 am in Boise, ID.

Gene was born July 28, 1935 in Browning, MT to Joe and Maude Momberg-Cobell.  Gene went to school at the little school house on Seville, Saint Margaret’s in Cut Bank, MT, then on to Bozeman and Browning High School where he met his best friend, partner, and love for life, Judith Ann Magee.

Gene and Judy were married in Choteau, MT October 4, 1955 and started their married life in their little house on the prairie on Seville raising their two sons Ray and Ronnie before moving to Chicago, IL after having three more children; Joel, Janet, and Sharon.  Gene received his electronics degree from Devry University in Chicago, IL while Judy stayed home with the kids.  They then moved to Seattle, WA where Gene got a job with Boeing working on the Minute Man Missile.  The family then went on to Rapid City, SD and Clinton, MO with all five kids in tow.  Gene and his growing family finally settled in Browning where they had three more children; Kevin, Marcy, and Teresa, numerous pets, and livestock.  The most famous pet being Fonzie who used to ride in the parades and visit all the football games.  Everyone in town knew Gene’s dog Fonzie.

Gene had a diverse career in Browning even working for the law enforcement during the ’64 flood.  He saved a little boy’s life when the raging flood waters washed him downstream Gene was able to pull him to safety.  He was the Transportation Supervisor for the Browning Public Schools, worked for the Planning Department for the Blackfeet Tribe, was the Mayor for the town of Browning all before moving on to managing the campgrounds around Glacier Park where he could be near his beloved Rocky Mountains near the family cabin on St. Mary Lake.  It was here that Gene took up the art of sailing on the windiest lake in Montana.  Gene went through numerous co-captains during his sailing adventures, finally capsizing one too many times in the frigid waters of St. Mary Lake before Judy and his children refused to venture out with him.

Gene had a full life raising his 8 children with Judy.  Coaching his sons football teams as well as his older daughters basketball teams.  He spent hours teaching them how to be aggressive ball players.  He was an avid golfer and pool player filling his free time after retirement with golf in the summer and shooting pool in the winter.  He loved traveling with Judy to see the grandkids and great grandkids.  Spending time with them was very important to him.  He was a Chicago Bears fan, spending winter months watching the football games on TV with Judy.

Gene is survived by his wife of 59 years, Judy Ann Cobell; his children, son Raymond Carey Cobell (Dawn) Wapato, WA, son Joel Eugene Cobell (Gail) Browning, MT, daughter Janet Leigh Carlson (Pete) Plymouth, MN, daughter Sharon Gaye Cobell, Browning, MT, daughter Marcy Ann Cobell-Gilbert (Jonathan) Lame Deer, MT, daughter Teresa Marie Lee (Robert) Great Falls, MT, daughter Debbie Higgins Browning, MT; grandchildren, Raymond, Cameron, Jennifer, Jessica, Shelley, Jeremy, Christy, Alex, Kiela, Jonathan, Laura, Sara, Nicholas, Sienna; 12 great grandchildren; and one great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his son Ronald Wayne, son Kevin Scott; parents, Joseph and Maude Cobell; brothers, Clayton, Gayle, and Donald; sister, Cleo Cline; parents-in-law, Merle Magee Sr. and Phoebe Pepion-Magee; and numerous nieces and nephews.

There will be a wake at the Eagle Shields Community Center in Browning.  Rosary will be Thursday at 7:00 pm with his funeral on Friday November 28 ^th at 2:00 in the afternoon at Little Flower Parish in Browning, MT.  Gene will be cremated for burial at a later date.

Please visit Gene’s online memorial to leave a message of condolence for the family at www.whittedfuneralchapel.com