Gary Kim Parrish “Cowboy Grandpa” was the son of the late Juanema Jean Key Parrish and Ewell Vaughn Parrish.
This tough but gentle cowboy was born June 1, 1951 in Boulder, Colorado. and died on the ranch in his home November 12, 2016. Gary left Berthoud High School to join the Marine Corps and served in combat in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970 and was honorably discharged. Gary served as a beloved pastor in Crete, Nebraska at the Crete Christian fellowship from 1978 to 1985. At the end of his service he moved his family to the Parrish Ranch West of Berthoud, Colorado. Gary spent the remainder of his life there as a rancher and cowboy.
Ranch life is hard on everybody but it is also beautiful. Cowboy Grandpa was rugged and late in his life became quite secluded, however he was an unbelievably wonderful grandpa. He loved his grandchildren and they think he hung the moon. There was a gentleness inside of him and if you were lucky you got to know that part of him.
Gary Parrish was proceeded in death by his parents. Surviving are his sister and brother, Phyllis Kay (Bob) Sutter and Terry Wayne (Sheila) Parrish; his two children, daughter Joy Marie (Chip) Parrish Maher and son Jess David (Asia) Parrish; and his three grandsons, Avery, Skyler and Ryson.
The memorial will be held at the Parrish Ranch, 15722 Parrish Rd, Berthoud, Colorado, on Sunday November 20, 2016 at 1:00 p.m.