Gene A. Scott, 78, passed away Monday, August 2, 2010 at Rapid City Regional Hospital after battling heart problems for many years.

Gene was born April 2, 1932 to Martin & Margaret (Morrow) Scott in Wagner SD. He was the oldest of 5 children and spent his early years on a farm in Eastern South Dakota. The family moved to Oregon where he started school. They moved back to South Dakota during his 4th Grade and graduated from Newell High School in 1951. He married his high school sweetheart, Mary Cook on November 24, 1952, in Newell, SD. He worked with his Dad and various other trucking companies during the first years of marriage. He worked at various jobs until moving to Edgar Harrington's Hillsview Hereford Ranch, Sturgis SD in 1960 where he worked for 17 years. The family then moved to Sturgis where he worked various jobs before moving to California in 1986. He worked for a medical supply company while in California. Upon retiring they moved back to SD in 1995. He enjoyed his retirement, following his grandchildren's various sporting events and just being around his family.

During his life on the ranch he organized an amateur baseball league so his sons and neighbor boys could have a summer past time. He was instrumental in organizing a basketball team for the kids attending the Lower Alkali Country School. He thoroughly loved his time coaching and mentoring kids in these sporting events. After moving to Sturgis he further coached and umpired Little League Baseball and upon his leaving for California had a little league field named in his honor. While his children participated in 4H, he was an active 4H leader. While living in California he took up the game of golf enjoying many games with his pals in California as well as family throughout his retirement.

After his second heart bypass surgery in 1999 he attended Cardiac Rehab where he enjoyed socializing with the many friends he met there.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Scott, Rapid City, SD. He is also survived by his daughter Sandy Scott of Rapid City, five sons, Bill (Debbie) Scott, Chehalis, Washington, Mike (Tori) Scott of Deer Park, Texas, Rick (Pam) Scott of Howes, SD, Bob (Tracey) Scott of Box Elder, SD and John (Debbie) Scott of Rapid City; daughter in law, Debbie (John) Rasch, Sturgis. He is survived by 19 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, his brother Marty (Sharyl) Scott, Newell, SD, his sister, Loraine Kafka, Newell, SD, numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.

He was preceded in death by his son, Steve in 1980, his parents and two sisters.

Visitation will be 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Friday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. Visitation resumes at St. Therese Catholic Church in Rapid City from 5 p.m. until time of services at 7:00 p.m. A rosary and wake service begins at 7:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian burial will be Saturday, August 7, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Therese Catholic Church, Rapid City with Fr. Bill Zandri officiating. Burial will follow at Bear Butte Cemetery, Sturgis SD at 2:00 p.m.

Memorials have been established to the Cornerstone Rescue Mission and Sturgis Little League.