Gene Bovee of Tucson, Arizona passed away December 5, 2025.

Gene was born September 12, 1934 in Rapid City, South Dakota to Sumner Eugene Bovee and Esther Agnes Fruth. Gene grew up in Sturgis and graduated from Sturgis High School in 1952. He was proud to join the US Army, and upon his return graduated from Black Hills Teachers College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. Gene funded his college by capturing rattlesnakes on Bear Butte, their home and place his grandfather homesteaded. He would then sell the rattlesnakes to Reptile Gardens. Additionally, he guided tourists to the top of Bear Butte on burros his family owned (known as the “Burro Train).

Gene earned a Masters of Arts degree in French in 1960 from the University of Wyoming, and in 1962 received his Bachelor of Foreign Trade degree from The American Institute for Foreign Trade and joined the Latin American division of Chase Manhattan Bank. From 1964 through 1975, Gene worked in Panama, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. He returned to the US in 1975 and joined CoBank in Denver, Colorado, financing agricultural commodity exports to 35 countries. Gene retired in 1996 and moved to Tucson, Arizona. Gene married the love of his life, Deborah Kay Jones Bovee in 2003. Debbie passed away from cancer in 2024.

Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Deborah; his sister and husband, Barbara (Jim) Shinost; his brother in law, Marlin Anderson; his parents, cousins and many dear friends.

Gene is survived by his sister, Sharilee Anderson; and nephews, James E. Shinost and Todd Shinost; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. Gene is also survived by Debbie’s son John (Liz) McCarrell and their children, Sam and Hannah.

Gene loved the arts, Debbie, his family, baseball , travel and Black Hills State University. To hear Gene laugh (at your expense or his) was his greatest joy. Gene will be remembered for his generosity, his humor, and his love of the beautiful Black Hills.