Gene Burrill

On Oct. 13, 2010, beloved husband, father, grandfather, musician and biker Gene VanDyke Burrill, 61, died in Palmer.

His family wrote that he "rode the Last Frontier into Heaven."

Born Oct. 8, 1949, in Washington, Gene was a graduate of West Anchorage High School, and Bellevue, Wash., community colleges. He worked for 12 years at Mat-Su Regional Hospital in Palmer as a radiologic technologist.

He was a charter member and past officer of the Harley Owners Group, Mat-Su Chapter and loved riding his "Hawgs" on Alaska's highways.

Gene played drums for many bands over the years, including the long-running Johnny Collinsworth and the Country Capers, Highway 81 and most recently Jerry Bostwick and the Bush Bandits.

He is survived by his wife, Kelly; sister, Nancy Schloeman and her husband Rex of Anchorage; children, Kohen Burrill and his wife Katy of Seattle, Everret and Marrissa Hamilton of Palmer/Wasilla, Nick Hedgcoth of California, Kenny Trost and Zoey Newhouse of Palmer. He was the proud grandpa of 10.

Per his wishes, a party of love and laughter celebrating his life will be held at 2 p.m. Nov. 6 at 4 Corners Lounge on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway in Palmer. All are invited.