Obituary of Everett Eugene Potts

E. Eugene (Gene) Potts died peacefully July 6, 2023 at his home in Windsor, CO.

Gene was born to Bernard and Bernice Potts (Kasper) in Rapid CIty, SD on November 28, 1931. Gene attended High School and the National College Of Business in Rapid City, SD.

Gene married Ellie (Eleanor Johnson) September 20, 1957. They lived in Rapid City, SD until 1996 when they moved to Fort Collins, CO to be close to their children and grandchildren.

Gene worked in accounting for 40 years. He was a CPA and partner at Sayler, Thorstenson & Co and Ketel Thorstenson until he retired in 1996. Gene also managed youth baseball teams, was a member of the Central States Fair board and the Chamber of Commerce. Gene also volunteered in equine-assisted therapy using his horses to assist others.

Ellie and Gene opened the Prince and Pauper Bookstore in downtown Rapid City. They had over 20 successful years of making book readers through out the region and the country happy with fine books from many local artists.

Gene’s great love was raising horses and participating in rodeo when he was in 20s. His two events were bareback bronc and bull riding. He loved to show everyone the belt buckle he won for the High School Championship Bull Riding. After they moved to Colorado, Gene and Ellie purchased a small ranch raising horses with Gene riding horses. 

Gene was proud of service as an Army Sergeant in the Korea War from 1951 to 1954. Gene was stationed in Japan managing and shipping petroleum products to Korea for the war efforts.

Gene is survived by his wife Ellie; son Michael (Cindy) Potts of Fort Collins, CO: his daughter Janet (Gary) Stearns of Rapid City, SD; granddaughter Jaime (Mike) Hoskins, of Polk City, IA; granddaughter Kayla of Rapid City, SD; brothers Archie Potts of Auburn, GA and David (Cheryl) Potts) of Rapid City, SD. He is preceded in death by his parents, 4 brothers and his sister. 

A service and interment will be held at the Black Hills National Cemetery at 10am on Monday, August 21, 2023. A reception will follow at the VFW/American Legion Hall at 868 Main St in Sturgis.