VICTOR - After years of being the symbol of strength for the family, Gene Tufton used the last of that strength to lift up his arms so the angels could carry him home, after a short but courageous battle with cancer.

Gene was born Dec. 25, 1936, in Dooley, the first son of Christian and Clara, and was the best Christmas gift any of us have ever had.

He grew up on the family farm north of Comertown, helping with the farming and ranching.

He was a horse whisperer before the phrase was coined. He spent many years breaking horses at the farm. His dedication ran deep. In his younger years, he had to be locked in the house at night, as he'd sleep-ride his horse, rather than sleep-walk, in the middle of winter in his underwear!

Gene had an amazing ability as a fix-it man. With a little study, he could put together anything, or repair something that didn't work.

After Ma's death in 1958, we started to see brother Gene's other roles, as a mother, father, teacher and best friend. He was constantly asked, "Gene, why doesn't this car run?" or "Gene, how do I get this horse to stop?" or "Gene, what's wrong with this bread dough?" or "Gene, why can't I hit anything with this gun?"

He worked hard at making everything work, and ran the cattle ranch until the drought of the 1980s convinced him to look for greener pastures. He bought a small ranch near Victor, where he raised a few cows and horses, and later chickens.

He had quite a list of folks who couldn't wait for him to show up and visit and deliver eggs.

Gene taught us to hunt, fish and leave areas cleaner than we found them. He also enjoyed hiking, snowshoeing and gardening.

Gene was preceded in death by his folks, Clara (Corcoran) and Christian Tufton and their infant son. He is survived by his brothers and sisters, Edna (Paul) Tkachyk of Victor, Sonny (Pat) Tufton of Medicine Lake, Sweede (Kaye) Tufton of Dagmar, Loren Tufton of Missoula, Lois Tufton of Victor, Marial (Jim) Hovet of Antelope and Sara Tufton. He thought the world of his nieces and nephews, even with their continual questions of "Gene, how do you ... ?" He'll also miss his good friends from Sheridan County, especially Dave Marsh and Dick Johnson.

Gene has been cremated and a private ceremony will follow at the farm north of Comertown.

Gene, we love you and we'll miss you; we'll be keeping a list of questions for you. You rest up good now; you've earned it. You know there won't be any rest once the rest of us get there