Eugene Tate McCown, 86, passed away on Friday, April 12, 2024, at his home. Eugene was born on September 5, 1937 to Samuel and Oleta (Freeman) McCown near Benton City, Missouri. On February 22nd, 1969, Eugene married Nancy Galloway in Perry.
Gene was a lifelong farmer and cattleman who worked in partnership with his brother, Jack (Carol) McCown of Mexico, who survives. He loved the farm and the land, but his passion was raising and feeding cattle. It was incredibly important to Gene to continue the farming legacy his parents started on the farm near Benton City in 1936.
Eugene was a longtime member of the Benton City Christian Church where he served on the Church Board. He also served in the Army National Guard from 1959-1965, as well as the Benton City Special Road District for several years.
Although Gene didn’t have many hobbies, he always made time to attend his children and grandchildren’s activities. Gene was proud of their hard work and accomplishments and loved watching a good basketball game and listening to old country music. He was amazed at the country music shows one could find to watch on YouTube, and this entertained him and brought him great joy in his last years. When Gene could no longer drive or work on the farm, he looked forward to the sunny days he could take a drive to check on the crops and the neighbors.
Eugene is survived by his wife of 55 years, Nancy (Galloway) McCown and his children; Cynthia (Chris) O’Neill of Colorado Springs, Colo., Stephanie (Kelly) Maddox of Rush Hill, and Daryl (April) McCown of Mexico. He is survived by his grandchildren; Grace Maddox of Overland Park, Kan., Hayden Maddox of Columbia, Dawson McCown of Mexico, and Laura O’Neill of Colorado Springs, Colo. Eugene is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his brother, Jack, Gene is also survived by his sisters; Dorothy Struempf of Pavillion, Wyo., and Carol Sue (Jim) Pine of Mexico and sisters-in-law, Kathryn Ann Wilson of Mexico and Janelle Cox of Roseville, Ill. Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Leona Isgrig, and brothers in law, J.O. Isgrig, Gwyn Wilson, George Cox, and Ben Struempf.
Funeral Services will be at Arnold Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 17th at 11 a.m. with visitation before the service beginning at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow in East Lawn Memorial Park.
The family requests memorials be made to Benton City Christian Church or Shiloh Christian Children’s Ranch.
Online condolences may be left at www.arnoldfh.com
