Billy E. “Gene” McGowen

Former longtime Eagle River resident Billy E. “Gene” McGowen, 75, died April 23, 2011, from a massive stroke in Las Vegas.

Gene was born March 24, 1936, in Kansas City, Mo., to Syrena and Clifford McGowen. The eldest of three children, He grew up in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri.

Like most of his boyhood friends, Gene loved hunting, fishing, baseball and girls. Growing up poor meant an eighth grade education before having to quit school to provide for the family. It was a work ethic he espoused his entire life. Gene initially came to Alaska in 1956 with his future bride, Lynn Cox, and members of her family. In the mid 1960s, Gene, and his then father-in-law started Porta-Can Toilet Co. After a number of successful years, Gene struck out on his own and started Rent-A-Can. As he continued to reinvest in his company, his hard work and foresight paid off during construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, when he had toilets in every pipeline camp and every contractors’ yard from Anchorage to Fairbanks to Valdez.

Gene continued to run Rent-A-Can until the late 1990s, before retiring to Las Vegas with his wife of 34 years, Patricia. Every summer, Gene returned to Alaska to fish, play golf, spend time with his children and play poker with longtime friends.

“To say he will be missed is a huge understatement,” his family wrote.

Gene is survived by his loving wife, Patricia of Las Vegas; sister, Sharon and brother, Lonnie Dean,and their families, all of Missouri; sons, Lonnie of Chugiak and Gerald (Lonea) of Big Lake and their children, Jordan, Dawson and Wyatt; daughter, Krystal Rogers and children, Thomas and Trevor of Wasilla; daughter, Syrena Rheault (Jim) and children James, Danielle and Amanda of Anchorage. Gene also leaves numerous cousins, nephews, nieces and other kin, as well as friends everywhere he went.

A semi-impromptu gathering of family and close friends will take place later this summer. Condolences may be sent c/o Krystal Rogers, 135 Ravenview Dr., Wasilla, AK 99654.