Harvey Gene Erwin

Funeral Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, May 27, 2011, at Collier-Butler Chapel for Harvey Gene "Coosa Cowboy" Erwin, 77, Gadsden, who passed away Tuesday, May 24, 2011, after being in a nursing care facility for several years. The Rev. Phillip Ellen will officiate with burial at Rainbow Memorial Gardens. Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services directing.

Gene was a staunch supporter of the Gadsden-Etowah Tourism Board from its inception, and served as a member of the Advisory Board until he moved away. He also served as the Alabama Vice President of the Lookout Mountain Parkway Association for several terms and was elected President in 1998. Gene was co-founder of the Alabama Wagon Train and a lead rider on the annual trek from Gadsden to Montgomery. He loved working on his farm in Riddles Bend where he hosted Camp Coosa for the "special class" at CrossPoint. He escorted the class to Mentone for the making of the movie, "Southern Heart." Gene was instrumental in the creation of the Lookout Mountain Riding Trail and the Trail Leader for many organized rides along the brow. Gene Erwin rendered valuable service to the Tourism Board and was especially effective in the promotion of the "World's Longest Yard Sale" and the Alabama Princess (Lady Lee) Riverboat. He worked as a volunteer at Alabama June Jam for many years and conducted tours to the Alabama Band Fan Club. He loved to dance and, in his later years, sing karaoke with friends. Gene retired with many years of service at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Engineering Department and was a member of CrossPoint Community Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Dora Lee Erwin; and brothers, Harold Erwin and Floyd Erwin.

Gene is survived by Gavan Erwin and Gavan's mother, Maxine McElroy Erwin; two granddaughters, Raven Erwin and Shaina Erwin Colvin; one great-granddaughter, Kaitlyn Colvin; and caretaker and sister-in-law, Sheila Erwin.

Special thanks to McGuffey's Health Care, Harper Center in Tuscaloosa and Lawley Hospice for the special love and care they gave during these years.

The family will be accepting friends on Friday from noon until time of service.