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Thomas Eugene "Gene" Downey passed away June 14, 2017, in Spokane, with Margie at his side. He was 87 years old. Gene was born in Butte, Montana to Frances (Van Eman) and James Downey.

Gene graduated from Butte High School. He found his passion for football there and played for the Bulldogs championship team in 1947. Gene then went on to Montana State on a football scholarship. He played two years of varsity football before enlisting in the US Air Force in January of 1951. Gene transferred to the US Army later and completed Officer Candidate School, leading to a commission as a Second Lieutenant (Armor).

Upon discharge in October 1953, he transferred to the University of Montana completing his Bachelor's Degree and later received his Masters' Degree from Western Montana College. He played his final year of football with the Grizzlies in the 1954 season. Gene and Margie (Mirich) were married in March of 1954 while Gene was attending the University of Montana.

Gene had a diversified career in education. He started as a teacher and athletic coach at Ronan High School and then coached and taught in the Butte Public Schools (junior and high schools). Later, at Montana Tech, he became head football and basketball coach, instituted a track program, served as athletic director and was a professor of health and physical education.

Gene and family moved to Missoula in 1966 to accept the position of assistant principal at Sentinel High School. Two years later he became Director of the Missoula Vocational Technical Center, which was during the formative years of a new concept in post-secondary education in Montana. He held this position for thirteen years, retiring in 1981. The school, now Missoula College, has become a two-year unit of the University of Montana.

During his tenure, many new programs were instituted. The school applied for and received accreditation from the Northwest Accrediting Association of schools and colleges, the first post-secondary institution of this type to be accredited in the Northwest. Additionally, many of the programs received national accreditation for their specific fields.

Upon his retirement from education, Gene entered a new, untried field (a second career), as an investment counselor for a tax deferred annuity company. He held this position for fourteen years, retiring in July of 1995.

Gene's family was his priority in life. He spent many years in retirement enjoying grandchildren, golf, and Griz football and basketball games.

Gene was preceded in death by his daughter, Julie; his parents; brothers, Pat and Jim; and life-long friend Joe Roberts. He is survived by his wife Margie, daughters Leslie Rosser (Tommy) and Margene Fisher (Steve) all of Spokane; grandchildren: Dylan Nichols (Jenna), Kord Nichols (Ashley), Seth Fisher (Nicole), Luke Fisher (Tyna), Stevie Burwick (Zach) and TR Stevens (Norma). Gene has six great grandchildren, Lyric Fisher, KJ and Grey Nichols, Nolan and Tyson Fisher, and William Burwick; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Robert and Rose Ann Mirich; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Thank you to all of our family and friends for your love and support. The family also wishes to thank the Veterans Administration, Fairwood Assisted Living, and Horizon Hospice for the wonderful care provided.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 22, 2017, at Duggan Dolan Mortuary in Butte. The funeral service will be held at the Duggan Dolan Chapel, Friday, June 23, 2017, at 10:00 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to: University of Montana Foundation, PO Box 7159, Missoula, MT 59807, to establish a Memorial in Gene's name for the Missoula College.