Homer Eugene Nunn

Dec. 1, 1936 – July 20, 2026

Homer Eugene Nunn battled cancer for two years. He succumbed to the disease and passed away peacefully with his family by his side on July 20, 2026.

Homer was born December 1, 1936, in Sentinel Butte, North Dakota, to Leighton and Mildred Nunn, at that time residing on the Y up and Y down Ranch. “Gene” joined older brother Larry, and the family later welcomed two sisters, Irmalynn and Joanie. He spent his younger years living and working on the Nunn Ranch as well as his Uncle Karnes Johnson’s (X-X) ranch and helping many neighbors.

The family moved to Miles City, Montana, in 1948. Gene attended school in Miles City, graduating from Custer County High School in 1954. He was proud to be a member of the FFA and being able to attend the National FFA Convention in Kansas City, Missouri.

After high school Gene served in the United States Army, Company A 48^th Med BN of the 1^st Infantry Division (The Big Red One). His rank was Private First Class with various postings in the U.S. and Baumholder, Germany. Gene was a qualified expert in both rifle and pistol and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal.

Following his discharge from the Army Gene returned to Miles City. He got into riding saddle bronc horses alongside many of his friends. In that era, he was among those who rode horses from the Freek Tooke string, such as General Custer, Indian Sign and Grey Wolf.

During those years he attended auctioneer school with his best friend, Marvin Gookin, and worked at the Fort Keogh Experiment Station as a brand inspector and as a yardman for the Milwaukee Railroad.

Gene met Donna Bankey at a dance in Baker in 1958. The two were married on New Year’s Eve in 1959. They were together until Donna’s death in 2021. They had three sons, Todd in 1961, Bobby in 1963 (died in infancy) and Tom in 1964.

Gene accepted a position as a horse wrangler on the newly designated Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range and moved his family to Edger, Montana, in 1970. He worked there until 1976 when he was offered a wild horse specialist position by the BLM in northern California. While there, Gene kept his hand in the rodeo world by hauling his two boys to every rodeo they could get to in a weekend. 

Gene also picked up bucking horses and served as the adult president of the California High School Rodeo Association. Later, he transferred to Ridgecrest, California, to oversee the Cal-Desert District Wild Horse and Burro Program.

In 2001, Gene retired from the BLM, and he and Donna moved to Cowley. He took on a part-time job as a brand inspector. Gene enjoyed his work and all the people he met doing it. His free time was spent helping his children and spending as much time as he could with his grandchildren.

Gene was preceded in death by his wife, son, parents and brother. 

He is survived by his two sons, Todd (Cathie) and Tom (Tami); grandchildren Kirsten, Dawson, Logan and Ryan; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters Irmalynn and Joanie; sister-in-law Jean; and nieces and nephews.

One of the many words of wisdom from Gene was, “A good horse don’t need bragged on.”