Eugene David Parrish
August 3, 1946 ~ July 29, 2026
Resided in: Gainesville, Florida
EUGENE (GENE) DAVID PARRISH August 3, 1946 – July 29, 2026
My husband Gene spent most of his youth in small town Illinois. So did I. Our parents lived in Belleville. But we met in Carbondale, IL at SIU. Gene was attending school on the GI Bill after serving in the Army in Vietnam. Gene loved his time in Carbondale & was sad to leave his guitar playing buddies there plus move much farther from family. But he came to join me when I moved to Gainesville, FL where we spent the most of our 50+ years together.
Visits home were always family filled, especially on Gene’s side. His favorite sister Mary, brother-in-law Dave, special nephew Andy, plus brothers Steve (with Jodie) & Carl (with Josie) still live in the Belleville, IL area. Only Richard’s family moved away to San Jose, CA. Plus nephew Matt is now in Japan.
But Gainesville truly became Gene’s own home. Due our tight finances Gene took a part time job with the much maligned GRU! (utility company) where he worked for 29 years until retirement. His “work wives” Toni, Dorothy, & Peggy made all those years so much more tolerable! After retirement Gene was invited to join a Wednesday lunch group of diverse and supportive people who shared in & cared about each other’s lives & losses.
Now to our Gainesville family. When new to town, Gene & I were quickly adopted into the Styker family. Maggie was our best friend ever for 25 years. Katy & David & Erika’s growing family have shown themselves to be forever family. Also treating us like family and often coming to our rescue are our beloved neighbors Heather & Ryan. These are the people Gene cared about & who cared for him.
Gene was a liberal thinker but respectful of the opinions of others. He was a nature lover & explorer who spent much of his time on Paynes Prairie. He was a Cat Daddy to many. To me Gene was a patient listener & a great hugger. I talk to him all the time now because I always have.
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Gene’s wife, Bonnie, and I were best friends in High School, especially bonding in German class. I met Gene and thought from the start they were a good match. Although I only saw Gene a few times, I know he was an avid reader. We exchanged reading favorites via Bonnie and my Christmas cards. So sorry he and Bonnie are no longer physically together, but I know he lives through good memories and conversations which never really end.