Eugene “Gene” F. Darling, age 83, of Columbia Falls, passed away Feb. 22, 2025. He was born Nov. 1, 1941 in Columbia Falls, to the late Clare “Bud” Darling and Grace Darling (Green).

Gene was born and raised in Montana. Professionally, he was a police officer, volunteer firefighter, and ambulance server. He achieved the rank of Captain as a volunteer firefighter and was the Emergency Manager for Los Alamos National Lab. Gene was always involved in the town and community. During his free time, he enjoyed fishing and camping. 

Family card games of gin rummy and Yahtzee were frequent. Gene enjoyed photography and documented family vacations and special occasions. Gene will always be remembered for summer trips to the family cabin at Ashley Lake and his beef stroganoff recipe. 

Gene is survived by daughter, Cathy Trietsch (Dixon), half-brother, Scot Larkin (Stephanie) and sister-in-law, Elaine Countryman. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by wife, Doris, grandmother, Ida Green, and stepfather, Hank Larkin. 

A graveside inurnment will be held later in the Spring at Woodlawn Cemetery. To send online condolences, please visit columbiamortuary.com.