Gene Cutting

Visitation: Will be held on Monday, August 4, 2008 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City

Funeral service: Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City

Interment: Will be at a later date at the Custer County Cemetery

Gene Sylva Cutting, life-long Miles City resident and business man died August 2nd, 2008, at the Holy Rosary Extended Care Facility in Miles City. Gene was born July 14th, 1915 in Pierre, S.D., the son of Henry Newell and Rose Mary (Sylva) Cutting.

The family first moved to Forsyth from Pierre when Genes father started a roofing business in Forsyth. In 1927, the family moved to Miles City, where Genes father went to work at Miles and Ulmer Roofing, later purchasing that division and starting Cuttings Sheet Metal and Roofing. Gene would later take over that company and run it until his retirement in 1987.

In 1931, Gene was on Miles Citys first championship American Legion baseball team with his best friends Gordie Spear, Don Lindeberg and Don Lee. In 1937 Gene was on the Miles City baseball team of the Lower Yellowstone League, and later that year went to the University of Minnesota to play baseball along with Lindeberg and Spear.

Gene also was an excellent basketball player. In 1934, he played in a game against the Harlem Globe Trotters in the Custer County High School gym and was the game high scorer with 13 points. The Miles City Star described him as the flashy (Miles City) Motors forward, the fastest and most accurate-eyed man on the floor.

Gene was stationed in Phoenix, AZ during World War II, working as an instructor in a link trainer, teaching pilots to navigate planes in darkness. He returned to Miles City after the war.

In 1946, Gene was elected the secretary/treasurer of the Quarterback Club in Miles City.

In 1947, Gene and Helen Gruner were married in Miles City. Two wonderful children were born, Kitty and Doug. Gene and Helen were divorced in 1966.

He was elected to the city council in 1950, where he served 10 years, including being the Acting Mayor in 1954. While on the council he served as president of the council for 6 years.

In 1957, Gene was one of the original investors in the Miles City Town and Country Club. Gene loved golf, and played past the age of 8o. After he quit playing, he became a well-known Marshal of the course. Many people enjoyed talking with him and he loved giving out golf balls that he found on the course.

In 1968, Gene met and married Betty Reinhardt. One son, Cory, was born in 1969.

In 1974, Gene was one of the original investors in the formation of First Citizens Bank, which later became First Interstate Bank.

Gene had the nickname of Lucky Cutt, and for good reason. He always bought his lottery tickets at the Short Stop, and was very fond of all the employees there who treated him like family. He was always a lottery winner with his scratch tickets. In 1989, he was selected for a trip to the lottery office in Helena. He was chosen to come spin the Big Prize Wheel. It was very fun and just like a game show. Genes luck struck again when he was the big winner of the day with a win of $10,000.

During retirement, Gene could be seen waving to passersby from the deck of the house or walking his dog on the edge of the golf course. At the Holy Rosary Extended Care, Gene was known for being good for a smile and a friendly hello with a tip of his hat. The highlight of his day was a visit from his wife Betty and a good game of bingo.

Gene was a lifelong member of the Elks Lodge, the Eagles, the Masons, and at one time was a member of the Miles City Club.

Gene is survived by his wife Betty of Miles City; son Cory Cutting of Denver, CO.; grandson Lane Flock of Laurel; Doug Cutting and his wife, Peg of Blaine, WA, and their children: Hannah and Jacob; his granddaughter, Chrissie Cutting of Northern California; and his daughter, Kitty Cutting of East Helena, MT. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held on Monday, August 4, 2008 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Tuesday, August 5th, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at the chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home. Interment will follow at a later date in the family lot of the Custer County Cemetery. There will be a reception after the service at the funeral home. Should friends wish, condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com

Should friends desire memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation or to the Lance Armstrong Foundation.