Gary Eugene Parrish

Wilson - Funeral Services for Mr. Gary Eugene Parrish, 69 of Wilson are scheduled for 2:00 P.M., Friday, June 14, 2019 at the Ash Street Church of Christ with Jeff Jones officiating. Interment will follow at Hewitt Cemetery in Wilson. Everyone is asked and encouraged to wear ORANGE colors to honor Gary's love and admiration of the OSU Cowboys. Services are under the care and direction of Alexander Gray Funeral Home in Wilson.

Gary was born March 5, 1950 in Seminole, OK to the late Mr. Hugh Charles "Charley" Parrish and Mrs. Berna Dean (McVay) Parrish. He departed from this life on Monday, June 10, 2019 in Oklahoma City.

Gary was raised primarily in Wilson, moving here from Seminole at the age of 7 years old. He attended school at Wilson, graduating in 1968. Gary loved all sports especially football and enjoyed participating during his school years. He attended his first two years of college at Murray State in Tishomingo before moving to Stillwater where he obtained an Agricultural Degree at OSU. Since his years at Stillwater he has supported the OSU Cowboys in every aspect of his life. He and the former Ann Steele were married on June 11, 1971 at the Wilson Ash Street Church of Christ and last year celebrated their anniversary with OSU colors decorating the occasion. He was proud to be a Wilson Eagle and supported the school and teams his entire life.

Gary became employed with Uniroyal a few years after its opening and retired from Michelin in 2006. He began in maintenance and receiving and lastly was working at the Lab within the Quality Assurance Department. He lasted only three days into retirement, when he gained employment with B&C Backhoe service. There he has worked since and loved everyone, He felt blessed to be part of that company.

Gary always loved being with his family attending all of his girls sporting events. He was always very active in FFA and 4H and loved helping everyone. Loved to coach tee ball and softball and enjoyed camping and boating at Lake Murray with his family. Gary attended church at the Ash Street Church of Christ in Wilson where he has been a longtime member. He also enjoyed serving on the Zaneis School Board for over 20 years.

Preceding him in death were his parents and his father in law, Red Steele.

Gary is survived by his wife, Ann of the home; daughter, Kari Ann Butler and husband Lance and their children Emily Anita and Hannah Layne of Criner Hills and Laci Parrish and her spouse Heather and their daughter Lillianne of Tulsa; sister, Barbara Woulfe and husband Gary of Ardmore; special friends who were like family, Lindsey and Jerrye Southward, Barry, Sara and Jacob Hickman; brother in law, Mike and Donna Steele of Criner Hills; nieces and nephews, Chris and Dwana Woulfe and family, Lisa and Jeremy Atwood and family; Aimee and Kevin Garrett and family, Courtney Steele and Cody Steele and fiance' Taylor and a host of other family and friends.

Pallbearers will be Wade Gray, Preston Gray, Chris Woulfe, Justin Dailey, Patrick Rasure and J.T. Woulfe.
Honorary bearers will be Barry, Sara and Jacob Hickman, Cal Johnson, Lindsey Southward and all of the B&C Backhoe Employees.

A family visitation is scheduled for Thursday evening from 6-8 P.M. at Alexander Gray Funeral Home in Wilson. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hewitt Cemetery Association at PO BOX 360, Wilson, OK 73463.

Online condolences may be made to www.alexanderfuneralhome.org.