Decatur, Ill.

Henri Eugene "Gene" Cowger , 73, Tallahassee, Fla., formerly of Decatur, died Feb. 29, 2004.

Gene was born Oct. 20, 1930, in Decatur, the son of Carroll Cowger and Eloise Hansen- Cowger . He graduated from Decatur High School in 1948. He earned a degree in Civil Engineering. He retired as a state construction engineer.

Surviving are his wife, Sue; sons, Sgt. Maj. James Faris of Fayetteville, N.C.; James Cowger ; daughter, Mary Cowger ; two grandchildren; cousins, Allen Hansen of Decatur; Donald Hansen of Conway, Ark.; James Hansen of Pacific Grove, Calif.

He was preceded in death by his parents; cousins, William Hansen and Marvin Hansen.